A Gloucester man who beat his pet dog, causing concern and uproar within his local community, has received a lifetime ban from keeping animals.
The case was investigated by officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Dog Unit after members of the public reported that the man was seen to be beating the dog, an English Bull Terrier.
Police were called to the Matson area on 15 September last year after a concerned member of the public had seen the man attacking his pet dog. Officers attended and seized the dog under the Animal Welfare Act before he was taken to kennels. The dog was checked by a vet where it was discovered that he had other injuries thought to be caused by abuse.
The dog was rehomed at Christmas and is now being properly cared for. by a family who has owned dogs for a number of years. Paul Fowler, 40 and of Matson in Gloucester received the ban at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 1 June after previously pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. As well as the ban, Fowler also received a two-month sentence that was suspended for 12 months and has conditions which he must now comply with.
A police spokesperson said: “There was lots of social media attention about the incident, so much so that a woman contacted us as she had seen Fowler beating his dog months earlier in Kings Walk.
“In total we had six witnesses to Fowler’s actions and we hope that this conviction shows how we will not tolerate animal abuse here in Gloucestershire.
Ensuring the welfare of animals falls under the county’s Police and Crime Plan priority of “a compassionate approach”. More information for anyone with concerns about animal cruelty can be found here: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/ac/animal-crime/
