Dog owner jailed for vicious attack on pet

SCARRED . . . Smudge, with the head wounds inflicted by Jermaine Golding

A MAN is behind bars and has been banned from keeping animals for life after carrying out a sadistic and prolonged attack on his pet dog.

Jermaine Golding, of Byland Avenue, Oldham, was blasted by a district judge at Oldham Magistrates’ Court on Friday as he was handed a two-month prison sentence for the attack, which took place earlier this year.

The court hard Mr Golding (31) caused Staffordshire bull terrier Smudge to squeal in agony for more than 15 minutes, as he inflicted injuries to its head and leg on February 13.

Several concerned neighbours heard the incident.

It is thought Mr Golding was having problems toilet-training his pet.

Smudge was later found by an RSPCA officer with wounds to its head and hind leg.

It had an inch-long cut next to its eye, cuts on its face and forehead, bruising to both eyes and right ear, blood on its fur and a wound on its paw.

One of the cuts was so deep the vet could see the bone.

Mark Harper, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, revealed that when the neighbours tried to intervene, Golding told them “if I want to beat it, I will beat it and if I want to kill it, I will kill it.”

Golding, who had previously pleaded guilty to the attack, was sentenced on by District Judge James Prowse.

District Judge Prowse said: “You have caused that dog extreme pain.

“This was a sadistic and prolonged period of inflicting pain upon an innocent animal that was unable to do anything about it.”

The dog was later rescued by the RSPCA.

Sonya O’Brien, defending, told the court: “There’s no excuse for the behaviour Mr Golding exhibited on that day. When he came up against toilet-training difficulties he should have sought external help. He is sorry that he did not.”

Mr Golding will serve a month in prison and a month on licence. He is also banned from ever keeping a pet again.

Speaking after sentencing, RSPCA chief inspector Cathy Hyde said: “I’m very pleased with the sentence as it reflects the seriousness of the case.”