CHRISTOPHER DENNETT FROM CHORLEY SHAMES ANIMAL WELFARE WITH CRUELTY INCIDENT

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community in Chorley, Christopher Dennett, born in April 1986 and residing on Anderton Crescent, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a young dog. The incident, which took place in his own garden, was captured on video by a concerned neighbor and subsequently led to a police investigation and intervention by the RSPCA.

According to reports, Dennett was seen chasing a one-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux puppy around his garden with a plank of wood. The footage, lasting just 47 seconds, clearly shows the frightened dog barking and attempting to escape as Dennett swings the wooden object at her. The neighbor who recorded the video was horrified by the scene and promptly contacted the police, as well as forwarded the footage to the RSPCA, prompting an official investigation into the matter.

During questioning, Dennett, who works as an HGV driver specializing in livestock transportation, displayed a lack of remorse. He reportedly told RSPCA officers that his actions were part of an attempt to train the dog for close-quarters protection for his girlfriend. This explanation was met with disbelief by authorities, who emphasized that such behavior is entirely unacceptable and constitutes animal cruelty.

Inspector Helen Smith from the RSPCA reviewed the footage and expressed her concern about the emotional impact on the puppy, named Narla. She stated, “Mr Dennett showed no remorse when interviewed and didn’t seem to understand what he had done wrong. As you can see from the video, Narla is terrified, and has been caused unnecessary suffering, fear, and distress.”

While the puppy did not sustain any physical injuries during the incident, the emotional trauma inflicted has left her deeply frightened of men. Inspector Smith further explained, “She is now terrified of men and although we could find no significant physical harm, emotionally she is not in a good way.”

It was revealed during court proceedings that Dennett’s actions were inspired by a training video he had watched on YouTube. He claimed he was attempting to prepare Narla to protect his partner when he was away, but authorities and animal welfare experts condemned his methods as inappropriate and harmful. Inspector Smith added, “He said he was training the dog to protect his partner for when he was away but this is no way to train a dog. You can hear the dog growling and then yelping, although it is not clear if Narla was struck in the video.”

Following the incident, Dennett has surrendered custody of Narla to the RSPCA, who have assured that she will receive proper care and will be considered for re-homing once she has recovered emotionally. The court heard that Dennett admitted to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act, specifically causing unnecessary suffering through threatening or abusive behavior towards the dog.

As part of his sentence, Dennett was ordered to pay a total of £726 in costs and charges. Additionally, he was disqualified from keeping dogs for a period of 12 months, a ban that expired in March 2018. The case has sparked discussions about animal cruelty and the importance of proper training methods, highlighting the need for awareness and responsibility among pet owners in Chorley and beyond.