A couple have been banned from keeping pets after shocking footage showed them beating their two dogs with a broom in a shocking campaign of abuse.
Martin Butters, 61, and Kristine Viksnina, 42, attacked their pets Honey, a one-year-old golden Labrador, and Lilu, a six-year-old Jack Russell Terrier.
Neighbors were initially concerned for the animals as they were forced to sleep outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions, including snow and ice.
Bradford Magistrates’ Court heard footage was captured on Boxing Day 2022, showing Butters kicking Honey, who screamed and limped away.
In February last year, the couple attacked Honey with a rubbish bin twice, meaning the dogs were unable to access the kennel.
Honey, a one-year-old golden Labrador, was kicked, hit with a broom and attacked with a rubbish bin in a shocking campaign of abuse.
Lilu, a six-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, was forced to sleep outdoors in freezing weather, beaten with a brush and lifted by the neck.
Bradford Magistrates’ Court heard footage was captured on Boxing Day 2022, showing Butters kicking Honey, who screamed and limped away.
A month later, they were seen trying to escape from Viksnina, who attacked Honey and grabbed Lilu by the neck with one hand.
Another shocking clip showed an unknown object being thrown into the yard, which hit Honey in the back.
Butters was also seen hitting the dogs with a long hand brush, before one of them screamed for help.
The videos show both dogs displaying body language consistent with fear, making attempts to escape and hiding with their tails between their legs, the court was told.
RSPCA inspector Demi Hogby went to the home with police on April 3 last year after witnesses concerned about the dogs’ welfare contacted the charity.
In his statement to the court, Inspector Hogby said Honey and Lilu “were very nervous”, especially in the presence of a police officer.
She said: ‘I told her (Viksnina) that we had been sent a series of videos of the dogs being beaten, which had been assessed by a vet who then reported that both dogs were in pain and would therefore need to be removed from the address.
“I watched the dogs in the yard. They were both very nervous, especially when I was surrounded by the police officer who was there.”
In his written statement to the court, the vet who viewed the footage said: ‘Several videos indicate that both dogs were handled inappropriately on several occasions and were subjected to physical abuse.
Butters was seen hitting the dogs with a long hand brush, before one of them screamed for help.
Martin Butters, 61, and Kristine Viksnina, 42, subjected their pets to a sickening campaign of abuse.
The couple have now been banned from keeping pets for 12 years, as well as receiving a suspended sentence, 100 hours of unpaid work and having to pay costs of £243 and a victim surcharge of £157.
‘Martin Butters and Kristine Viksnina indicated that their behavior toward dogs, particularly Honey, was a consequence of unwanted behavioral traits such as eating feces and chewing bedding.
‘I have not seen any documentation to indicate that they sought veterinary or professional advice regarding dog behaviour or training in an attempt to appropriately address these behavioural issues.
‘Most of the physical abuse appears to have been directed toward Honey.
‘However, this often appears to have occurred in the presence of Lilu, who also displayed body language consistent with experiencing fear at such times.
‘In my opinion, they have been caused suffering on numerous occasions as a result of inappropriate handling by those responsible for their welfare.
‘These two dogs will have experienced suffering through fear and distress mechanisms, in addition to physical pain on occasions when they were subjected to physical abuse for varying periods of time.’
To mitigate the issue, Viksnina blamed Butters for his behavior and said she had had dogs for more than eight years without any problems.
Butters, who represented himself in court, apologized for his actions but said he could not understand what he had done wrong.
Both pleaded guilty to two offences contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at previous hearings and were disqualified from keeping animals for 12 years.
The couple, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, were given a suspended sentence, 100 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £243 and a victim surcharge of £157.
Lilu and Honey were cared for by the Doncaster, Rotherham and District branch of the RSPCA and have both found new homes.
Speaking after the case, Inspector Hogby said: ‘We are grateful to those who reported their concerns to us about Honey and Lilu.
‘Both dogs were subjected to unacceptable physical and emotional abuse and we are glad we were able to help ensure they now have a much brighter future ahead of them.’
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