WOMAN DEPRIVED OF DOG SHE KICKED AND DRAGGED DOWN WHITEHAVEN STREET
A WOMAN has been deprived of her dog after she was seen dragging and kicking the animal down the street, causing it to urinate itself through fear.Misha Lee Walker, 20, was reported to police by concerned members of the public who witnessed her violent behaviour towards the dog on July 1.
Nicola Mills, prosecuting at Workington Magistrates’ Court, said unnecessary suffering was caused to the dog, which Walker had been deprived of since the incident.
Outlining the offence, Ms Mills said members of the public reported they had seen the defendant dragging and kicking the dog down the street.
It appeared she was ‘cross’ with the dog, the court was told.
The dog was urinating ‘because it was scared’ of the violence being used by Walker.
She continued to drag the dog down the street and was then stopped by police.
She was arrested for assaulting an emergency worker and being in possession of cannabis – offences which had previously been dealt with by the court.
Ms Mills said the dog had been in kennels since being taken away from Walker and the bill for 154 nights was £4,620.
The prosecutor requested an order that Walker be deprived of the dog so it could be rehomed by the RSPCA.
Walker, of Peter Street, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Mike Woolaghan, defending, said: “Her behaviour is described as erratic and relatively bizarre.
She was heavily intoxicated.
She has no recollection of this offence.” Mr Woolaghan said the defendant was ‘devastated’.
“This is something that is not within her normal understanding of how to care for a dog,” he told the court.
“She takes that responsibility very seriously.
“There’s no suggestion of longer term mistreatment.” Mr Woolaghan described Walker as ‘vulnerable’ and said she was currently living in supported accommodation and in receipt of Universal Credit.
Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Walker was ordered to pay £200 in compensation towards the kennel costs.
A deprivation order was granted for the dog to allow it to be rehomed.
