LIVERPOOL OFFENDER DAVID BENNETT PROSECUTED UNDER FINN'S LAW AND ATTACKS POLICE DOG

Liverpool resident David Bennett, born around 1978 and residing on Livingston Avenue, L17, was convicted in 2019 of multiple offenses, including assaulting police officers and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. Bennett, a career criminal and drug addict, became the first individual in Merseyside to be convicted under Finn’s Law—an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act that criminalizes harming service animals. The law is named after Police Dog Finn, who was nearly killed while protecting his handler during an incident involving a teenager armed with a knife.

As of November 2019, Bennett had amassed 33 previous convictions for 72 offenses dating back to 1996, such as thefts and similar crimes. His criminal record includes being imprisoned for burglary, motoring offenses, and handling stolen goods since his youth. Notably, he served a 12-month sentence in 2008 for wounding, and an eight-year sentence in 2010 for heroin dealing and robbery.

During his latest incident, Police Dog Deema was injured while responding to Bennett, who was a persistent criminal and substance abuser from Aigburth, Liverpool. Deema managed to recover after an attack by Bennett, and is set to receive a commendation for her dedication.

Chief Constable Andy Cooke expressed pride in the police dogs and their handlers, stating, “We are so proud of our police dogs and their handlers, and all the hard work they do to protect our communities. The commendation Deema will receive is so well deserved and we hope this will help people recognise all our dogs do to help prevent crime.”

Bennett was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, to be served consecutively to a 20-month already ongoing sentence for a violent assault on a shop worker.

Source: ITV News