KAINE HARDIE FROM CARLISLE SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO GREYHOUND ON LONDON ROAD

Kaine Moon Hardie, born on July 5, 1994, and residing in Forest Hill, Carlisle CA1 3HF, was found guilty of inflicting unnecessary suffering on a rescue greyhound. The incident, which drew significant attention, occurred on London Road in Carlisle on September 30, 2018, and was brought to light thanks to the keen observation of off-duty police officer Christopher Brennand.

Officer Brennand was passing by when he witnessed a disturbing scene: Hardie was engaged in a violent attack on the dog. The officer observed Hardie kicking the greyhound with forceful blows to her legs, followed by a second, more forceful kick aimed at her ribs. The impact caused the dog to yelp in pain, clearly indicating her distress. The brutality was not unnoticed by other pedestrians; a woman walking nearby intervened after witnessing Hardie punching and dragging the dog along the pavement, attempting to stop the assault.

Following the incident, police officers interviewed Hardie, who admitted to causing the animal unnecessary suffering. During questioning, he attributed his actions to being under the influence of alcohol, specifically vodka. His defense lawyer, John Cooper, provided context about the dog’s significance in Hardie’s life, stating that the dog had been owned by him for approximately two and a half years. Cooper explained that Hardie’s mother worked at a rescue shelter, which is how he came to acquire the dog. The lawyer emphasized that the dog had become Hardie’s closest companion over the years, and he had never previously exhibited any signs of mistreatment.

Cooper further noted that the dog regularly received veterinary care and was taken out on walks in the fells, indicating a caring relationship. Despite these claims, the court was shown evidence of the abuse, and the judge, Gerald Chalk, was urged by the defense to allow Hardie to retain custody of the dog. However, the judge was unequivocal in his judgment, describing the act as “gratuitous violence” committed while under the influence of alcohol.

As a result of his actions, Hardie was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and an additional £85 victim surcharge. Furthermore, Hardie was banned from owning any animals for five years, a restriction that will expire in October 2023. The case highlights the ongoing concerns about animal cruelty and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable animals in communities like Carlisle.