- Luke Cobb, 38, slammed the dog against a wall in a fit of rage in Brighton
- He admitted causing causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal
A dog walker exposed by MailOnline after smashing a Cockapoo against a wall has been spared jail.
Luke Cobb, 38, slammed the dog against a wall in a fit of rage.
Magistrates in Brighton described the incident as sadistic attack on a defenceless animal.
Despite his pleas to the court, Cobb was told he will have to find a home for his own two pets after he was banned from keeping dogs for a year.
Cobb admitted causing causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
A dog walker exposed by MailOnline after smashing a Cockapoo against a wall has been spared jail. Pictured: In the Ring footage grabbing the dog by the neck
In the shocking footage, Mr Cobb was heard calling out the spaniel’s name – Sam – and then yanked by his collar and lifted him two feet off the ground, causing him to struggle
Prosecutor Megan Attree said police received reports on November 13 last year after video of the attack on three-and-a-half year old Cockapoo Stanley went viral
Prosecutor Megan Attree said police received reports on November 13 last year after video of the attack on three-and-a-half year old Cockapoo Stanley went viral.
‘The dog can been seen looking scared, walking away from him.
‘He picks it up by the neck and smashes its head against the wall,’ Ms Attree said.
Animal expert Jeremy Stattersfield provided a report for the RSPCA.
‘It would have caused the dog not only injury but fear of injury,’ he said.
Cobb claimed he slammed the dog against the wall after it tried to bite him.
Ms Attree said Cobb’s account was substantially different from what could be seen on the video.
‘There is no bite,’ she said.
‘The Crown submits it was sadistic attack on a defenceless animal who was not out of control.
‘There was no reason for it whatsoever.
Luke Cobb, 38, slammed the dog against a wall in a fit of rage. Magistrates in Brighton described the incident as sadistic attack on a defenceless animal.
Cobb runs a successful dog sitting and walking business called Harvey’s Walks with his partner from their home. Pictured: Outside Luke Cobb’s home
‘There was significant force. Twice bashing the head against the wall.’
Dog owners are entitled to expect dog walkers to take care of their pets as if it were your own, Ms Attree said.
Michael Gibbs, Stan’s owner, said: ‘Stans has never shown any signs of aggression or attempted to bite anybody.
‘I was disgusted and shocked by what I saw.
‘He picks him up from behind by the collar and scruff of the neck then slams his head into the wall forcefully.
‘When we took his collar off him later, he winced,’ Mr Gibbs said.
Cobb, who now works as a milkman after his dog walking business was destroyed by the case against him, fully admitted his wrongdoing, telling the court: ‘I accept it was a breach of trust.
‘It was a terrible mistake and I simply wish to make amends for what I did.
‘I currently have two dogs.
‘I completely understand the thinking behind a disqualification.
‘I adore my dogs and I would plead you allow me to keep ownership of them.
‘They are my entire heart, they are my babies.’
Cobb, who now works as a milkman after his dog walking business was destroyed by the case against him, fully admitted his wrongdoing, telling the court: ‘I accept it was a breach of trust’
A police car is pictured outside Luke Cobb’s home in Brighton. He received a 12 month community order with 10 RAR days and 200 hours unpaid work
Chair Naomi Phillipson told Cobb: ‘You were in a position of trust and responsible for the dogs in your care.
‘It was a deliberate attempt to cause suffering to that dog.
‘This ill treatment was in a commercial context as a professional dog walker.’
Magistrates decided the offence was aggravated by his position as a professional dog walker and the distress caused by to Stan’s owner.
‘We have heard the dog would have been in pain and suffering,’ Miss Phillipson said.
Cobb was banned from owning or keeping dogs for a year.
‘We are not going to send you to prison but we are going to impose a 12 month community order with 10 RAR days and 200 hours unpaid work,’ Miss Phillipson said.
He will also pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
‘We do regard this as a serious offence and we make a disqualification order for dogs for 12 months, suspended for two weeks for you to find homes for the two dogs in your care.
‘Take this time for you to reflect on what’s happened,’ Miss Phillipson said.
Cobb had blamed the incident on a moment of madness.
He was reported to police after video of the incident went viral.
A neighbour’s doorbell camera caught Cobb grabbing Stan.
Cobb tried to claim he was bitten by Stan in an apology post online before saying: ‘I have made a terrible mistake.’
RSPCA inspectors described the incident as dangerous and put the dog at risk of injury.
A report from a veterinary surgeon commissioned by the RSPCA said the incident would have caused pain, fear and unnecessary suffering to Stan.