SHAWN POWER FROM ADDLESTONE AND COBHAM FACES JUSTICE AFTER CRUELTY TO DOGS IN SURREY

In a disturbing incident that shocked the local community, Shawn Geoffrey Power, a resident of Addlestone Road, Addlestone, Surrey, with strong ties to the nearby Cobham area, was involved in a brutal attack on his two dogs in front of witnesses. The incident unfolded on Thursday, August 6, 2020, at the Morrisons supermarket in Woking, drawing immediate attention from law enforcement and animal welfare authorities.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a man, later identified as Power, aggressively assaulting his dogs. According to their accounts, he was seen beating the animals, throwing them around, and stuffing them into bags. The witnesses described how Power chased after a small brown dog that had managed to escape from him outside the supermarket. In a violent display, he threw his backpack at one of the dogs, hitting her, before grabbing her and beginning to strangle and punch her while shouting profanities.

As bystanders intervened, attempting to stop the assault, Power responded with more shouting and swearing. After a brief confrontation, he walked away from the scene, hastily stuffing the injured dog into his backpack and zipping it shut. The distressing scene prompted immediate action from the public and police officers who responded swiftly to the incident.

Law enforcement officers located Power nearby on Goldsworth Road. He was promptly arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, failing to meet the animals’ needs, and public order offenses. The two dogs involved, named Bruno and Kizzy, were seized under Section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. They were taken to a veterinary clinic for examination, where it was confirmed that both animals had suffered welfare offences. Kizzy’s condition was particularly concerning, with signs of strangulation and evidence of being placed in a bag on a hot day, which posed a serious risk to her health. Bruno’s welfare was also compromised, as he had been allowed to run in and out of traffic, endangering his life.

Following a thorough investigation, Power was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, specifically for strangling Kizzy, under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act. He was also convicted of two counts of failing to meet the needs of his animals, as mandated by Section 9 of the same act, for placing Kizzy in a bag and allowing Bruno to roam freely into traffic. The court’s decision underscored the severity of his actions and the importance of animal welfare laws.

Within days of the court ruling, Bruno and Kizzy were rehomed to new owners who are now providing them with a safe and loving environment. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of authorities to protect animals from cruelty and neglect in Surrey.

In sentencing, Power was fined £200 and a deprivation order was issued for the dogs. Additionally, he was disqualified from owning or keeping dogs for a period of five years, a ban that will expire in June 2026. This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who commit acts of animal cruelty in the Surrey area, particularly in Addlestone and Cobham, where community members are increasingly vigilant about animal welfare issues.