DEAN WILLIAMS FROM PONTPRENNAU SHOCKS CARDIFF WITH BRUTAL ANIMAL CRUELTY INCIDENT

Dean Williams, a construction worker residing in Clos Y Ffynnon, Pontprennau, Cardiff CF23 8HW, has been convicted of a disturbing act of animal cruelty that has shocked the local community and garnered widespread attention. The incident, which took place in the early hours of May 4, 2019, involved Williams violently attacking a small French bulldog named Koda, an act that has now been added to his extensive criminal record.

According to court proceedings, Williams was seen on a busy Cardiff street near Richmond Road by multiple witnesses, including two students, Sarah Bill and Emily Johnson, who were returning home after a night out. The witnesses provided detailed accounts of the assault, describing how Williams picked up the dog and threw her to the ground from above his head before punching her multiple times in the head.

Ms. Johnson testified that she looked out of the window of a taxi and saw Williams lift the dog above his head and then throw her onto the pavement. She believed he used both hands, holding onto the dog’s legs as he hurled her down. Ms. Bill, who also witnessed the event, stated she only saw Williams throw the dog when it was approximately a foot off the ground, after she called out to him. She then exited the taxi to intervene, attempting to rescue the dog because she believed Williams was causing her pain.

Ms. Bill followed Williams and the dog along Richmond Road and onto Gordon Road, where she observed him punch the animal in the head more than three times. Her concern grew as she realized she was alone and became hysterical, calling for help and urging someone to contact the police. During this time, Uber driver Chris Inchley, who had stopped to speak with the women after witnessing Williams throw the dog, confirmed seeing the incident. He initially thought Williams was chasing the dog because she was lost, but then saw him lift her above his head and throw her forcefully to the ground, causing the dog to yelp in pain.

Mr. Inchley described the punches as hard and noted that Williams punched the dog about four or five times in the head. He was visibly shocked by the violence and recounted that the dog was clearly distressed. After the attack, Williams was seen lying on the ground, searching underneath a car for the frightened animal. Ms. Johnson described the scene, stating that when they arrived, Williams was on the ground looking under a car with Koda cowering beneath it, clearly terrified of him. The police arrived shortly after, and Williams was arrested at the scene. During police interviews, he refused to comment, replying only with “no comment” to all questions.

Police officers, including PC Southey, who testified in court, described the scene vividly. She noted the presence of blood around the dog’s mouth and observed that the animal calmed down once Williams was placed in the police vehicle. A veterinary examination revealed that Koda sustained minor injuries, including a small hemorrhage in her eye and a lesion above her eye, indicating she had been subjected to significant trauma.

Williams’s defense argued that the injuries might have resulted from “puppy play” and questioned whether the witnesses’ consumption of alcohol impaired their judgment. Both witnesses denied any influence of alcohol on their perceptions. Williams claimed that Koda jumped out of his arms because of the busy street and that he tried to retrieve her, asserting that he is an animal lover who had owned her since she was a puppy. He denied intentionally hurting her or recalling any interaction with Ms. Bill or Ms. Johnson during the incident.

After considering the evidence, the magistrates, led by Chair Martin Dennett, concluded that Williams’s account was not credible. They observed the facial injuries on Koda and determined that she had suffered a substantial attack. The court found that Williams’s version of events did not align with the evidence and that the injuries were consistent with abuse. Consequently, Williams was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, a charge he had previously denied.

Williams had initially pleaded not guilty at a prior hearing. On July 17, 2019, he appeared in court for sentencing. It was revealed that he was dependent on alcohol, having consumed approximately four to five pints of lager on the day of the incident, though he was not intoxicated at the time. A probation report indicated that Williams was on antidepressants and admitted to drinking heavily whenever possible.

As for Koda, she was rehomed with witness Sarah Bill and was renamed Lola. She has since recovered and is now healthy and happy in her new home. Williams received a sentence of eight weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities. He was also fined £735 in costs and charges. Additionally, he was banned from keeping animals for three years, a suspension that was temporarily lifted to allow his other pets to be rehomed. This ban expired in 2022.

This case highlights the severity of animal cruelty and the importance of community vigilance in protecting vulnerable animals from abuse. The incident has left a lasting impact on those involved and serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such violent acts.