KIDDERMINSTER MAN TOM HOBBINS SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO STAFFY IN KIDDERMINSTER AND SPENNELLS NATURE RESERVE

Tom Hobbins, a resident of Kidderminster, was convicted of a series of heinous acts involving his pet dog, Milo, which culminated in a brutal attack and abandonment. Born on December 6, 1994, Hobbins, who is a father of two, resides at Dunlin Drive, Kidderminster DY10 4TB. His actions have shocked the local community and brought to light the disturbing treatment of animals by individuals in the area.

Hobbins admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to Milo, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, by inflicting injuries through beating and kicking the dog. He also confessed to neglecting the animal’s medical needs and subsequently abandoning him. The incident occurred after Hobbins claimed Milo growled at his infant child, which prompted his violent response. The court heard that Hobbins left Milo in the care of his 11-month-old child while he went to the toilet, during which time the dog was left unsupervised.

According to prosecutor Ruth Edwards representing Wyre Forest District Council, Hobbins was observed to have kicked and punched Milo multiple times after hearing the dog growl while the child played with his ball. Following the assault, Hobbins took Milo to Spennells Nature Reserve in Kidderminster, where he tied the injured dog to a tree and left him in the early hours of the morning. The dog, bleeding with a swollen head and limping on one leg, was discovered approximately an hour later by a member of the public who promptly took him to a veterinary clinic. Veterinarians treated Milo for eight days, noting that he was cold, shivering, and in shock.

In response to a social media appeal to identify Milo’s owner, Hobbins contacted Worcestershire Regulatory Services on January 7, 2015. During this call, he admitted to having beaten the dog, abandoned him, and tied him to a tree. Hobbins also revealed that he had previously inflicted similar abuse on another Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which he had handed over to the RSPCA. He described his actions as “bang out of order.” The court was informed that Milo has since been rehomed and is reportedly doing well.

Hobbins’s defense, represented by Jason Aris, argued that Hobbins was reluctant to own another dog after previously abusing one and surrendering it to the RSPCA. However, his partner, Emily Carter, had arranged for Milo’s rescue after discovering him on Facebook.

Judge Richard Rundell delivered the verdict, condemning Hobbins’s conduct as wholly unacceptable. The judge emphasized that instead of removing himself from the situation by simply picking up his baby and leaving the room, Hobbins chose to violently attack Milo. The judge highlighted the danger such a dog could pose if mishandled and expressed disbelief that Hobbins would resort to violence rather than more appropriate responses. He pointed out that abandoning the injured dog in a park during winter could have resulted in Milo’s death if he had not been found by a member of the public.

While the maximum penalty for such offenses could have been six months in prison, the judge decided against imprisonment, citing the guilty plea and the fact that Hobbins’s previous suspended sentence for burglary and vehicle theft was nearly expired. No penalty was imposed for breaching the suspended sentence, as it was for a different offense.

Instead, Hobbins was sentenced to an 18-month community order, which includes 250 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £560 in costs and charges and was disqualified from owning or keeping an animal for life. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of animal cruelty and the importance of holding offenders accountable to prevent such acts in the future.