Woman banned from keeping animals after beating puppy with riding crop
The footage, which was filmed at an address in Bridgwater, led to an investigation and her later prosecution by the RSPCA animal charity
Warning: Some of the details in this article are distressing.
A woman from Enfield has been banned from keeping animals for ten years after she was filmed beating a puppy repeatedly with a riding crop.
23-year-old Milly Beth Turnham was recorded throwing the young tri coloured collie into a room from shoulder height, before she then carried a 'prolonged attack' on the cowering pup.
The footage was filmed at an address in Bridgwater, here in Somerset, which led to an investigation, and her later prosecution, by the RSPCA.
The animal welfare charity was contacted back in July 2022 with concerns about Turnham’s behaviour towards Shelby the collie who was just six months old at the time of the attack.
It had been uploaded to Facebook by her partner, who filmed the incident on April 1 that year.
Vet Dr David Martin, who viewed the footage, said: “The video shows an extreme level of violence. Undoubtedly this will have caused pain as a result of both being thrown and being hit with a riding crop repeatedly and the dog will certainly have sustained significant bruising and potentially more serious injuries as a result.
“There is no reason for such behaviour towards the dog. Physical chastisement plays no part in modern dog training as it is widely recognised that dogs learn through positive encouragement as opposed to negative reinforcement.
“In addition to the physical suffering the dog has clearly suffered extreme fear and distress as a result of being thrown and beaten and this will have long term implications for the dog’s health and welfare with a need for the dog to receive appropriate behavioural support in the future.”
Turnham, who admitted an animal welfare offence relating to the attack on Shelby, also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a second dog.
The court heard a husky cross called Joker, was severely malnourished as a result of Turnham failing to provide adequate nutrition.
Alongside the 10 year disqualification order, which she can not appeal to be lifted for five years, she was handed a 16 week prison term, suspended for one year, and twenty Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days.
She was sentenced when she appeared before Highbury Magistrates Court on 13 October.
The case was transferred from Taunton Magistrates Court because Turnham has now moved to Durants Rd, Ponders End, Enfield.
RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said after sentencing: “Turnham inflicted appalling and totally unnecessary violence on this young dog. The footage showing Shelby trapped in a corner of the room with no way to escape as she is repeatedly beaten by Turnham with a weapon is truly sickening. It’s heartbreaking to see such fear and distress.”
Joker was rehomed prior to RSPCA involvement. Shelby was taken into RSPCA care and has since found a happy new home.