BRIGHTON DOG WALKER LUKE COBB SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ATTACK ON COCKAPOO

In a disturbing incident that shocked the local community in Brighton, Luke Ross Cobb, a former professional dog walker, was found guilty of a vicious assault on a small dog named Stan. Cobb, born in September 1985 and residing at 45 Ashurst Road, Moulsecoomb, Brighton BN2 4PJ, was caught on horrifying footage that circulated widely on social media in November 2023.

According to court proceedings, prosecutor Megan Attree detailed the distressing content of the video, which clearly showed Cobb’s violent treatment of the three-and-a-half-year-old cockapoo. The footage depicted the dog visibly frightened, attempting to retreat from Cobb. Despite this, Cobb was seen grabbing the dog by the neck and forcefully smashing its head against a wall. The video did not show any signs of aggression from the dog, contradicting Cobb’s initial claim that the attack was provoked because Stan tried to bite him. Instead, the footage revealed a sadistic assault on a defenseless animal, with no apparent justification.

Ms. Attree emphasized that the force used was significant, with Cobb twice smashing the dog’s head against the wall. She underscored the expectation that dog owners place in professional dog walkers to treat their pets with care and responsibility. The owner of Stan, Michael Gibbs, expressed his shock and disgust upon seeing the footage. He stated, “Stan has never shown any signs of aggression or attempted to bite anybody. I was disgusted and shocked by what I saw. He picks him up from behind by the collar and scruff of the neck then slams his head into the wall forcefully. When we took his collar off him later, he winced.”

Cobb, who previously operated a dog walking business called Harvey’s Walks, has since been forced to cease that activity. It was revealed that he now works as a milkman, a significant change following the case against him. During the sentencing hearing, chair Naomi Phillipson addressed Cobb directly, stating, “You were in a position of trust and responsible for the dogs in your care. It was a deliberate attempt to cause suffering to that dog. This ill treatment was in a commercial context as a professional dog walker.”

RSPCA inspectors described the incident as dangerous, highlighting the risk of injury to the dog. As a result of his actions, Cobb received a 12-month community order, which includes 10 days of rehabilitation and 200 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and costs of £85. Furthermore, Cobb was handed a one-year ban on keeping dogs, reinforcing the seriousness of his misconduct.

In April 2024, Cobb established a management consultancy company named LRC Business Ltd, marking a new chapter in his professional life following the legal proceedings and public backlash related to his previous conduct.