PELTON, COUNTY DURHAM: MATTHEW BEAVIS
CONVICTED (2026) | Matthew Benjamin Beavis, born 9 March 2004, of 1 The Wynd, Pelton, Chester Le Street DH2 1EG – left a 13-week-old puppy with fractured ribs, missing teeth, damaged eye socket and broken leg.Drug addict Beavis, rumoured to be a serial dog abuser, laid into the Cane Corso, named Lil Redd, after he claimed the dog had bitten him and he lost his temper.
Prosecutor James Gallagher told the court the alarm was raised after Beavis’s mother noticed the puppy was limping and in considerable pain.
She was returned to the breeder who took her to a vet where examination showed that she had suffered multiple injuries consistent with being beaten.
The puppy had to have an operation costing £2,000 but needs ongoing treatment including twice-weekly hydro-physio sessions.
Beavis pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Lil Redd when he beat her and a further charge of causing unnecessary suffering after failing to get veterinary treatment between January 26 and 31, 2025.
Sentencing Beavis, chairman of the bench Professor Ian Neal told him: “What you did was reprehensible.
It was a dreadful, awful thing to do to an animal that could not defend itself.
“It suffered greatly as a result and continues to suffer.” “He said: “You didn’t just hurt an innocent animal, you laid into it.
You did horrendous damage to that dog and you did it deliberately and possibly out of spite.
“This was an innocent animal; you took responsibility for caring for it and you failed to do that.
Professor Neal told Beavis that he needed to address his drug issues, but told him that was no excuse for his behaviour.
“Be in no doubt that you were close to going into custody,” he said.
“You have avoided it by the skin of your teeth.
“If you do any crime during the period of your suspended sentence you will be going to prison.”
