LEWIS SIMMONS FROM BATH SHOCKS PLYMOUTH WITH BRUTAL DOG ATTACK

Lewis Colin Simmons, a man born around 1993 and residing in Paragon, Bath, has been convicted of a horrifying and violent assault on one of his dogs. The incident, which took place on October 8, 2023, has shocked the local community and animal welfare advocates alike.

According to court reports, the attack occurred early in the morning around 6:30 am near the Marks and Spencer car park located on Cornwall Street in Plymouth. Witnesses, two workers who happened to be nearby, heard disturbing sounds that included shouting, a heavy thudding noise, and the unmistakable squealing of a dog in distress. Concerned by the sounds, they decided to investigate and approached the man responsible, later identified as Simmons.

When confronted, Simmons attempted to justify his actions with vague excuses, claiming that the dog was causing him trouble by urinating on his bedding. He also expressed frustration, saying, “no idea what I’m putting up with,” revealing his apparent stress and agitation. It was noted that Simmons had been sleeping rough at the time and was in the company of another homeless man. The witnesses asked if they could help by taking care of the dogs, but Simmons abruptly walked away with the two dogs he was with, leaving the scene.

Police were called to the scene, and authorities later reviewed extensive CCTV footage that captured the entire ordeal. The footage, described as “very graphic,” showed a prolonged and brutal attack lasting nearly thirty minutes. It depicted Simmons dragging a Cane Corso-type dog named Luna across the car park, then holding her up by her collar until she appeared to pass out. The footage further revealed Simmons whipping Luna multiple times with a lead, using the metal clip end of another lead to continue the assault with force.

Following the whipping, Simmons took Luna to nearby railings, tied her to the structure, and then proceeded to stab her around four times with a pointed, golf-like umbrella. He also poured a liquid from a dog bowl over her head. The court heard that Simmons then put on his shoes, returned to the dog, and stamped on her head forcefully seventeen times — an act described as “probably the most unpleasant part of the footage.”

After this, Simmons walked away from the injured dog, tidied his belongings, and then returned to the scene. Holding onto the handrail, he jumped onto Luna’s head several times at high speed. By this stage, Luna was visibly exhausted, with her tail tucked between her legs, hesitant, and having urinated on herself. The footage showed her lying there, clearly overwhelmed and in pain.

The police arrested Simmons the following day. During questioning, he refused to comment, aside from claiming that the dog had “wound him up.” It was also revealed that Simmons had no prior convictions related to animal cruelty, but he did have a history of custodial sentences for violent offenses.

In mitigation, Simmons’ legal representative, Francesca Whebell, explained that her client had faced numerous personal difficulties throughout his life, which she claimed were now improving. She stated that Simmons had recently secured supported accommodation in Bath, had ceased using drugs such as Spice, and was actively working with mental health services through Bath Mind. She also mentioned that he had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act for 24 hours recently, with the ultimate goal of securing his own housing and training to become a support worker to help others.

Judge Matthew Turner acknowledged the severity of the attack, noting that Simmons caused Luna “a substantial level of pain” through strangulation, throwing her to the ground, whipping, stabbing, and stamping on her. The judge also recognized Simmons’ apparent remorse, as indicated in a probation report. He accepted that Simmons had taken positive steps toward rehabilitation, including quitting drugs, obtaining accommodation, and seeking mental health support. Based on this, the judge sentenced Simmons to six months in jail, suspended for 18 months, with additional requirements including up to 30 days of rehabilitation and mental health treatment. Furthermore, Simmons was banned indefinitely from owning dogs, with a minimum five-year disqualification period.