CONVICTED (2020) | Kieran John Jerome Mitchell, born 27/05/1995, of Keswick Crescent, Plymouth PL6 – punched and slapped his pet dog 36 times causing him to suffer wounds to his head and ears Kieran Mitchell beat and taunted his pet dog, Hugo Convicted cannabis dealer Mitchell, formerly of Penrose Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to the bull terrier Hugo in November 2017. He was convicted in his absence back in July 2018 and a warrant issued for his arrest the following month. Mitchell surrendered to custody in March 2020. He was released on bail but failed to turn up at the next hearing. Justice was eventually served in September 2020 when he returned to court to face charges of drug dealing. The RSPCA, which brought the case, said concerns were raised about the welfare of Hugo, after they were sent an anonymous audio recording of him being beaten and taunted by Mitchell. RSPCA prosecutor Lindi Meyer told the court it was a “nasty sustained attack” with a total of 36 hits, punches or slaps heard on the recording. As Mitchell attacked the dog he can be overheard goading him, asking him: “Are you crying now? Whimpering?” The RSPCA seized Hugo from Mitchell and took him to a vet for examination. The vet found three lesions on his face, one of which was near an eye. The vet said that the beating would have been a traumatic experience for Hugo, causing him to feel “terror, fear, pain and anxiety”. Mitchell admitted in his interview that he smacked Hugo and would rub his nose in it if he fouled on the floor. The presiding magistrate told Mitchell: “You acted in anger against an innocent animal.” Sentencing: 24 weeks in prison. £115 victim surcharge. Banned from owning animals for ten years. Plymouth Live Additional Information: Kieran Mitchell has links to Barnstaple and Ilfracombe. He has lived in Wilton Street, Plymouth PL1 5LT. We understand that Hugo was very sadly put to sleep by police for being a banned breed.