JAK HURLEY'S CRUELTY IN WEST DENTON: DOG ATTACK SHOCKS NEWCASTLE
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West Denton Animal Abuser
Jak Hurley, born on January 1, 1995, and residing at 28 Western Avenue in West Denton, Newcastle upon Tyne, has been convicted of a disturbing act of animal cruelty that has shocked the local community and animal welfare advocates alike.
On October 26, 2021, in the West Denton area, Hurley launched a brutal assault on a six-month-old Labradoodle puppy named Bobby, owned by his family. The incident was captured on CCTV footage, which was presented in court and described as 'sickening' by Deputy District Judge Katy Rafter. The footage vividly depicted Hurley swinging the puppy around by its lead, then hanging him from a fence by his collar before walking away with the dog still suspended in the air.
The court was shown images and video evidence that revealed the extent of Hurley's cruelty. Prosecutor Alex Bousfield from the RSPCA explained that the footage showed no apparent provocation or reason for such violent behavior. He emphasized that Hurley's actions caused unnecessary suffering to Bobby, describing the act as a deliberate and gratuitous attempt to inflict pain. Bousfield noted that although no serious physical harm was inflicted, the dog would have experienced significant stress and discomfort during the ordeal.
Hurley admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to ensure the animal’s welfare on that day in West Denton. During the court proceedings, Bousfield recounted that witnesses had observed Hurley shouting at Bobby in an alleyway prior to the incident. One witness saw Hurley grabbing the dog by the flesh and dragging him along the ground, then forcing the collar over Bobby’s head. When the witness suggested that the collar was too loose and might have come off, Hurley responded with abusive language, calling the dog a 'fucking cunt.'
Further CCTV footage showed Hurley lifting Bobby into the air by his collar, causing the dog to hang suspended. Hurley then reportedly told the witness that the dog had bitten him. The witness described feeling sick at the sight of the dog being swung into the air multiple times. Video evidence from a nearby house confirmed these distressing events.
In a police interview, Hurley claimed that the lead had become jammed, and he insisted he did not intend to hurt Bobby. When shown the CCTV footage, he maintained that he believed his actions were justified as an attempt to unjam the lead, asserting that he did not think he had done anything wrong. However, the court was informed that a veterinarian had certified that Bobby had suffered during the incident, with the vet concluding that the dog’s welfare needs had not been met, and that he had been prevented from expressing natural behaviors. The vet also noted that Bobby had experienced unnecessary pain and fear.
Hurley’s defense lawyer, Adrian Ions, acknowledged that the CCTV footage was emotive and that Hurley felt deep remorse and self-loathing for his actions. Ions emphasized that this was a one-off incident and that Hurley believed he was chastising the dog, albeit in an inappropriate and irresponsible manner. He accepted that Hurley's actions went far beyond acceptable discipline and described his client as genuinely remorseful.
In sentencing, Hurley received four months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, along with 20 days of rehabilitation. Additionally, he was handed an indefinite ban on owning or keeping any animals, which he can appeal after 10 years. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which animal cruelty is treated in Newcastle and highlights the importance of animal welfare laws in protecting vulnerable creatures from such acts of violence.
On October 26, 2021, in the West Denton area, Hurley launched a brutal assault on a six-month-old Labradoodle puppy named Bobby, owned by his family. The incident was captured on CCTV footage, which was presented in court and described as 'sickening' by Deputy District Judge Katy Rafter. The footage vividly depicted Hurley swinging the puppy around by its lead, then hanging him from a fence by his collar before walking away with the dog still suspended in the air.
The court was shown images and video evidence that revealed the extent of Hurley's cruelty. Prosecutor Alex Bousfield from the RSPCA explained that the footage showed no apparent provocation or reason for such violent behavior. He emphasized that Hurley's actions caused unnecessary suffering to Bobby, describing the act as a deliberate and gratuitous attempt to inflict pain. Bousfield noted that although no serious physical harm was inflicted, the dog would have experienced significant stress and discomfort during the ordeal.
Hurley admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to ensure the animal’s welfare on that day in West Denton. During the court proceedings, Bousfield recounted that witnesses had observed Hurley shouting at Bobby in an alleyway prior to the incident. One witness saw Hurley grabbing the dog by the flesh and dragging him along the ground, then forcing the collar over Bobby’s head. When the witness suggested that the collar was too loose and might have come off, Hurley responded with abusive language, calling the dog a 'fucking cunt.'
Further CCTV footage showed Hurley lifting Bobby into the air by his collar, causing the dog to hang suspended. Hurley then reportedly told the witness that the dog had bitten him. The witness described feeling sick at the sight of the dog being swung into the air multiple times. Video evidence from a nearby house confirmed these distressing events.
In a police interview, Hurley claimed that the lead had become jammed, and he insisted he did not intend to hurt Bobby. When shown the CCTV footage, he maintained that he believed his actions were justified as an attempt to unjam the lead, asserting that he did not think he had done anything wrong. However, the court was informed that a veterinarian had certified that Bobby had suffered during the incident, with the vet concluding that the dog’s welfare needs had not been met, and that he had been prevented from expressing natural behaviors. The vet also noted that Bobby had experienced unnecessary pain and fear.
Hurley’s defense lawyer, Adrian Ions, acknowledged that the CCTV footage was emotive and that Hurley felt deep remorse and self-loathing for his actions. Ions emphasized that this was a one-off incident and that Hurley believed he was chastising the dog, albeit in an inappropriate and irresponsible manner. He accepted that Hurley's actions went far beyond acceptable discipline and described his client as genuinely remorseful.
In sentencing, Hurley received four months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, along with 20 days of rehabilitation. Additionally, he was handed an indefinite ban on owning or keeping any animals, which he can appeal after 10 years. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which animal cruelty is treated in Newcastle and highlights the importance of animal welfare laws in protecting vulnerable creatures from such acts of violence.