JONNY MEYNELL FROM HASLINGDEN SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO HIS PET DOG IN ROSSENDALE

Jonny Meynell, a resident of Rifle Street in Haslingden, Rossendale, was found guilty of a disturbing act of animal cruelty that took place on August 28, 2017. The incident involved Meynell physically assaulting his pet Rottweiler, named Coco, in a manner that caused both physical pain and emotional distress. The events came to light after footage captured during the walk was reviewed by authorities, revealing a troubling display of aggression.

According to reports, Meynell was seen walking down a street in Haslingden with Coco, who was off the lead and freely exploring her surroundings. The footage shows her stopping to sniff around, a typical behavior for a dog on a walk. However, the scene quickly turned distressing as Meynell appeared to be in a state of anger, shouting and swearing at the dog in an intimidating manner. His words included threatening phrases such as, “do you want a kicking today or what? Is that what you’re after?”

Without warning, Meynell approached Coco and proceeded to kick her nine times, targeting her head and body. Each strike elicited a cry from the dog, highlighting the pain and fear she experienced. Witnesses and authorities described the incident as deeply upsetting to watch, emphasizing the cruelty involved.

Following the incident, the RSPCA was contacted, and on veterinary advice, Coco was taken into police custody. The dog was subsequently renamed Lola and placed in the care of an RSPCA animal center, where she is currently awaiting rehoming. The authorities confirmed that Meynell signed over ownership of Lola during the first court hearing, and she is now under the protection of the RSPCA.

Inspector Kat Newman, who reviewed the footage and was involved in the case, expressed her strong condemnation of Meynell’s actions. She stated, “There can never be any excuse for behaving this way towards an animal.”

In court, Meynell was sentenced to six weeks in prison, though the sentence was suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115. Most significantly, he was disqualified from keeping any animals for the rest of his life, a measure aimed at preventing future abuse.

This case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the ongoing efforts of authorities like the RSPCA to protect vulnerable animals from cruelty and neglect. The community of Haslingden and the wider Rossendale area can only hope that such measures serve as a deterrent to others who might consider harming animals.