SHAFTESBURY MAN BANNED FROM KEEPING ANIMALS FOR 10 YEARS AFTER ABUSE OF FRENCH BULLDOG
Worthy pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.On 28 November 2024, a concerned member of the public made audio recordings after hearing distressing noises coming from Worthy’s home.
The five clips included Worthy shouting and swearing aggressively, a number of thuds and a dog squealing and screaming in distress.
The recordings were played to the vet who also examined Bella after she was seized by police and placed into the care of the RSPCA for her safety.
The vet said in their report: “It is my opinion that the audio recordings demonstrate clear evidence that the male individual heard brought about unnecessary suffering through his interactions and treatment of the dog heard in the audio exhibits.
“The evidence for this is as follows, the repeated low frequency, short, harsh barks elicited by the dog clearly suggest ‘disturbance barks’, indicating that they are responses to changes in the external environment.
These have been clearly categorised in a study, differentiating them from those associated with play or isolation.
“In this case the dog is responding to the behaviour of the owner, which includes human aggression, shouting and eliciting loud noises, either through the slamming of doors or the striking of objects.
“The later whimpering and yelping of the dog audible in one recording is markedly different from the earlier ‘disturbance’ barks and is a clear indicator of fear and distress.
These are audible as a series of higher frequency sounds.
This time the dog appears submissive, likely because of a show of force from the owner.
It is clear at this point that the animal is in emotional distress as a result of the actions of the owner.
The whimpering audible is highly compelling evidence that the owner has brought about unnecessary suffering and I do not know of any reasonable animal owner who would hear this without suspecting intense emotional distress and fear.
“It is not possible to determine whether or not the man strikes the dog directly but it is clear he intends to elicit fear and distress in the dog by striking surrounding objects or by slamming doors.
“The audio recordings indicate that the dog has passed urine and faeces on the sofa in response to the owner attempting to put on the dog’s lead and collar.
Spontaneous urination and defecation is a commonly observed fear response based on stimulation of the autonomic nervous system.
It is triggered by acute stress.
“Dogs are highly sentient beings who experience a spectrum of emotional responses, including fear, distress and anxiety.
A study has shown the noises they make as a result of different emotional states can be accurately interpreted by owners, regardless of experience.” In mitigation, it was said Worthy had “struggled with mental health”.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Gemma Gumbleton, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Dogs feel pain and suffering just like we do and always deserve to be shown kindness and compassion.”
