JORDAN THOMASON FROM WALKDEN CLEARED OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN SALFORD

Jordan Thomason, a resident of Alexandra Road in Walkden, Worsley, Salford, was involved in a highly publicized incident that drew significant attention from local authorities and animal welfare organizations. Born around 1992, Thomason faced serious allegations after an incident involving a German shepherd named Kaiser, a five-year-old dog that was part of his household. The events unfolded outside Thomason’s home in Little Hulton, where he reportedly struck the dog multiple times with a samurai sword, a weapon approximately 2.5 feet in length, in what was described as a defensive act.

According to court proceedings, Thomason claimed that the dog had attacked a girl who was staying at his house. He explained that the dog had gone for the girl and was jumping up to bite her, prompting him to intervene. Thomason stated that he attempted to get outside with the girl when the dog followed him, and during the altercation, the dog latched onto his buttock. In a moment of fear and distress, Thomason admitted to grabbing a samurai sword, which belonged to his mother’s partner, and opening the door to leave the premises. Despite his claims that he hit the dog only two or three times because he was being attacked, the incident was scrutinized heavily.

Thomason, who has a background in the Army, maintained that he was scared during the confrontation. He denied in police interviews that the dog had bitten him, although in court he admitted to the injury out of concern that the dog might be euthanized. He described Kaiser as his 'best mate,' having owned the dog since it was a puppy, which added a personal and emotional dimension to the case.

Eyewitness testimony was provided by Thomason’s friend, Matthew Howell, who was in a car outside the house at the time. Howell described the dog as ‘like something out of a film,’ noting that it was barking loudly and baring its teeth, seemingly ready to pounce. The RSPCA examined the dog’s injury, which was described as a two-inch wound that had penetrated through the skin and muscle, fracturing the dog’s sinews. A photograph of the injury was presented in court as evidence.

Thomason pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon but denied causing unnecessary suffering to the animal. His defense, led by Ellie Akhgar, argued that Thomason’s initial false statements were motivated by a fear of the dog being put down. A neighbor also testified, claiming to have seen Thomason hit the dog up to eight times from approximately 40 feet away, with considerable force, while the dog simply stood by his side.

The chair of the bench, Dr. Lorraine Lighton, noted that Matthew Howell’s account was clearer and that the photographs of the injury supported the conclusion that the dog was struck only two or three times. Ultimately, Thomason was acquitted of the charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. However, he was scheduled for sentencing at a later date regarding the possession of an offensive weapon, which remains unresolved at this time.