MATTHEW HOUGHTON BANNED FOR LIFE AFTER BRUTAL ATTACK ON PUPPY IN WALSALL

A severe case of animal cruelty has led to the lifelong banning of a Walsall man from keeping any animals, following a disturbing incident involving his young dog. Matthew Houghton, aged 30 and residing on Lewis Close in Willenhall, was found responsible for inflicting serious injuries on his six-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy, named Ace.

According to reports, Houghton was involved in an incident on April 11 of the previous year, during which he lost his temper and violently assaulted the puppy. The police responded to reports of the attack and subsequently seized Ace. The dog was taken to Birmingham Animal Hospital for a thorough examination, where veterinarians documented multiple injuries that painted a grim picture of the abuse. These injuries included a cut on Ace’s head, a laceration on his ear, a puncture wound on his cheek, grazing on his jaw, bleeding behind his eyes, and a fractured canine tooth. The extent of the injuries indicated a significant level of force used during the assault.

During court proceedings, Houghton admitted to losing his temper during the incident and acknowledged that he had breached the Animal Welfare Act by causing unnecessary suffering to his pet. The court recognized the brutality of the attack, noting the physical trauma and emotional distress inflicted upon Ace. The judge emphasized the severity of the case, highlighting the importance of animal welfare and the need to prevent such cruelty in the future.

As a result of his actions, Houghton was handed a comprehensive sentence. He was issued a lifelong disqualification order that prohibits him from owning or keeping any animals, a ban that cannot be appealed for a period of ten years. In addition, he received a 24-month community order, which includes 150 hours of unpaid work and a 30-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR). Furthermore, Houghton was ordered to pay a fine of £464.

Inspector Jack Alderson of the RSPCA expressed strong condemnation of the incident, emphasizing that animals are capable of feeling pain, fear, and distress just like humans. He condemned Houghton’s violent actions, stating, “It’s never acceptable to subject an animal to violent treatment or cause an animal harm in this way.” Following his recovery, Ace was handed over to the RSPCA and was successfully rehomed, ensuring he would no longer be subjected to such cruelty.