ANTIONE JOHNSON OF SOUTHEND-ON-SEA CONVICTED FOR BRUTAL DOG BEATING AND LEFT TO DIE

In a tragic incident that shocked the community of Southend-on-Sea, Antione Johnson, born on July 9, 1989, and residing on Coleman Street in Malvern, was found guilty of heinously abusing a defenseless Staffordshire bull terrier named Gnasher. The cruelty unfolded within the confines of Johnson’s flat, located in a block of flats in Southend-on-Sea, where caretakers later discovered the severely injured dog.

Gnasher was found dumped on the stairwell of the building, just one floor below Johnson’s residence. The dog was in a critical state, suffering from severe injuries that ultimately led to her death. The RSPCA was immediately contacted and responded swiftly to the scene, attempting to provide water and comfort to the suffering animal. Despite their efforts, Gnasher succumbed to her injuries mere minutes after being discovered.

Subsequent post-mortem examinations revealed that the cause of death was blunt force trauma, which had caused a rupture in her spleen. The injuries were so severe that they resulted in catastrophic internal bleeding, leading to her rapid demise. The investigation uncovered that Johnson had admitted to having smacked Gnasher on her rear end before releasing her from his flat. This act of violence was deemed to have been inflicted with considerable force, enough to cause the fatal injury.

RSPCA inspector Matt Gough commented on the severity of the attack, stating, “It must have been with quite some considerable force that this dog was attacked for the impact to rupture her spleen in this way – she basically bled to death. A vet expert said her spleen was otherwise healthy and the fatal blow must have been very strong and very painful.”

He further explained that Gnasher was still alive when found, albeit extremely weak. She attempted to stand but repeatedly collapsed, indicating her critical condition. Despite efforts to hydrate her, she died shortly after discovery, underscoring the brutality of the assault.

Legal proceedings culminated on November 4, 2015, when Johnson pleaded guilty to offences under the Animal Welfare Act concerning the abuse of Gnasher. As a result, he was handed a sentence that included a 12-week prison term, which was suspended for 12 months, along with 200 hours of unpaid work, a fine of £575 to cover costs, and a 10-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Additionally, Johnson was disqualified from keeping any animals for the rest of his life, marking a significant legal stance against animal cruelty in Southend-on-Sea.