An XL Bully type dog was attacked by his owner with a shovel.
Owner Simon Thomas has been slapped with a fine after attacking the animal in a back garden in Hackney, East London.
The dog, named Ace, was repeatedly struck with a metal spade in the attack. At one point, Ace is struck so hard that Thomas is seen losing his footing.
Appearing in front of Stratford Magistrate’s Court, Thomas admitted Ace was his dog but denied it was him who hit the animal back in November.
Stratford Magistrate’s Court
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A Met Police spokesperson said: “After a viral video of a man beating a dog, Ace, with a shovel, Status Dogs Unit officers arrested and charged a male. He was remanded and pleaded not guilty.
“At trial the charge was altered to a Section 4 (2) person responsible for allowing suffering, as he claimed it wasn’t him hitting the dog. He admitted that the dog was his.”
Thomas was fined £375 and ordered to pay costs of £1,419 after pleading guilty to failing to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering to an animal.
He was also banned from keeping dogs for 12 months following the shocking attack.
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The XL Bully ban has proved controversial
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Nina Willis who runs the rescue that went to the animal’s aid, told the Evening Standard: “I’ve had nightmares. It’s just the worst thing I’ve ever, ever had to deal with.”
One of the volunteers who responded to the incident Seval Hassan added: I think it’s one of the worst things I’ve ever witnessed in my life. It was a really bad experience.
“Because [XL Bullies] are on the banned list, people are getting rid of them and this is where they’re ending up. There are loads more like him out there.”
The XL bully breed type was developed through the crossing of various bull breeds, including the American Pit Bull Terrier. They are thought to have been around since the late 1980s.
It comes after a spat of high profile XL Bully attacks across the UK, including 68-year-old Esther Martin who was killed in Essex by a pair of the breed.
Ashley Warren, 39, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous dog offences and released on police bail.
In England and Wales, the breed has been added to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
The Certificate of Exemption, which allows owners to keep their XL bullies, can no longer be applied for, and the government guidance says owners without a certificate should contact their local police force.
