NATHAN WILLIAMS FROM PENRITH SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL DOG ATTACK IN CUMBRIA

Nathan Robert Williams, a resident of Penrith, was convicted in 2021 for subjecting his pet dog, Loki, to a savage and prolonged assault. The incident took place at his home address, 62 Tulip Gardens, Penrith CA11 8BY, and involved a series of violent acts that left the dog terrified and suffering. Williams, born on October 27, 1990, initially denied causing unnecessary suffering to Loki but changed his plea to guilty just before the trial commenced.

Prosecutor Steven Marsh, representing the RSPCA, detailed the disturbing events witnessed by multiple individuals in the area. According to witnesses, the incident began early in the morning when Williams arrived at a layby in Old Tebay in a van, where he was meeting four colleagues before heading out for forestry work. During this time, Loki, who was inside the van with Williams, defecated on a packed lunch belonging to one of the men. Witnesses reported that Williams reacted negatively to this incident.

Without hesitation, Williams grabbed Loki by the neck and back legs and forcefully threw him out of the van window onto the grass verge. He then exited the vehicle and proceeded to punch the frightened dog in the face as it whimpered, clearly overwhelmed by fear. Another witness observed Williams chasing Loki down a nearby lane leading to a river, where she saw him crouching over the dog and delivering four or five punches. Subsequently, Williams dragged Loki along the lane by his neck and kicked him multiple times in the body.

As Loki cowered, too scared to walk, Williams lifted him up and violently slammed him onto the ground. Witnesses noted that Williams repeated this action twice more, each time slamming the dog down and swearing at him. During the ordeal, he also kicked Loki again. Despite the severity of the attack, a veterinary examination conducted four days later revealed no visible injuries on the dog.

Prosecutor Marsh emphasized that this was a sustained and vicious assault, describing it as a deliberate attempt to inflict suffering. He pointed out that the dog was kicked three times, lifted and thrown three times, and punched twice during the journey from the river back to the van. Marsh condemned the attack, stating, “There’s no justification for punishing a dog and beating it in that way.”

Williams later told a probation officer that his anger stemmed from Loki running away, but he expressed remorse for his actions. His defense lawyer, Harry Crowson, characterized the incident as a “momentary loss of control.”

Following the case, RSPCA investigator Chris Towler commented that although Loki did not sustain lasting injuries, he likely experienced significant distress during the attack. Towler also praised the witnesses whose detailed accounts were crucial in bringing the case to court, acknowledging that without their evidence, prosecution would not have been possible.

Loki has since been removed from foster care and is scheduled to be rehomed. The legal proceedings incurred costs of approximately £4,000, partly due to the need for expert reports, which ultimately proved unnecessary.

In sentencing, Williams received a 12-month community order, including 180 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £2,000 towards court costs. He was also banned from keeping animals for five years, with the ban set to expire in November 2026. Additionally, a deprivation order was issued for Loki, ensuring his protection from future harm.