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Pcs sentenced for pet dog kicking Pcs sentenced for pet dog kicking
(about 3 hours later)
Two North Wales Police officers have been given community sentence orders after being filmed kicking and throwing their pet dogs around their back yard. Two North Wales Police officers have been given community sentences after being filmed kicking and throwing their pet dogs around their back yard.
Anja Mason, 29, and Craig Macleod, 24, were filmed by a neighbour who watched the abuse at a house in Prestatyn. Anja Mason, 29, and Craig Macleod, 34, were filmed by a neighbour who watched the abuse at a house in Prestatyn.
They had admitted causing suffering to the dogs and were also banned from keeping animals for five years. They had admitted causing suffering to the dogs. They were also banned from keeping animals for five years.
Mason received a sentence of 120 hours and Macleod, received 180 hours. Both were ordered to pay £1,267.10 in costs.Mason received a sentence of 120 hours and Macleod, received 180 hours. Both were ordered to pay £1,267.10 in costs.
At an earlier hearing Denbigh magistrate Wendy Gibbs told the pair a custodial sentence could not be ruled out. The hearing at Denbigh Magistrates Court was told that RSPCA officers had been called to the home the pair shared on a number of occasions in spring 2008 by, a concerned neighbour.
She said: "There were several incidents of deliberate ill treatment which was frightening to both dogs. However, on each visit, inspectors were unable to obtain evidence that the couple's rottweiler dog called Snoopy or a border collie puppy called Tess had been mistreated.
"You intentionally caused pain and suffering and mental terror to both dogs."
Magistrates found no mitigating factors for the actions of Macleod and MasonMagistrates found no mitigating factors for the actions of Macleod and Mason
Both officers have been removed from frontline duties by North Wales Police and warned they will lose their jobs. The neighbour then set up a video camera to film the officers' back yard, capturing the evidence needed to bring the prosecution.
Last month's court hearing was told a neighbour had been concerned about the ill-treatment of dogs at the property and had called the RSPCA on several occasions. A DVD showing 13 clips of ill treatment was shown to the court at an earlier hearing.
However, when an RSPCA inspector found no evidence of cruelty, the neighbour bought camera equipment and positioned it overlooking the couple's yard.
Prosecuting, Glenn Murphy said: "To her credit this lady purchased a camera and she took many hours of video footage."
A DVD, about 15-20 minutes in length, was played to the court.
In one scene Mason was filmed hitting the pup's head and kicking her.In one scene Mason was filmed hitting the pup's head and kicking her.
Later the dog was seen pulling washing from a line before Macleod emerged from the house and chased it to a corner of the yard. Out of shot of the camera the dog could then be heard yelping.Later the dog was seen pulling washing from a line before Macleod emerged from the house and chased it to a corner of the yard. Out of shot of the camera the dog could then be heard yelping.
'Intentionally caused pain'
In other scenes, Macleod sprayed the dogs with water and Mason is seen chasing the puppy with what appears to be a stick.In other scenes, Macleod sprayed the dogs with water and Mason is seen chasing the puppy with what appears to be a stick.
The rottweiler can also be heard yelping as it is apparently abused by Macleod off camera. The rottweiler could also be heard yelping as it was apparently abused by Macleod off-camera.
The court heard how Macleod had been concerned that the rottweiler was "over-zealous" with his eight-year-old daughter when she visited and he had been advised by a dog handler to spray water as a deterrent.The court heard how Macleod had been concerned that the rottweiler was "over-zealous" with his eight-year-old daughter when she visited and he had been advised by a dog handler to spray water as a deterrent.
Both defendants had faced six charges relating to alleged offences between March and April 2008. 'Totally inappropriate'
However the majority of the charges were withdrawn when no evidence was offered against them. However, prosecutor Glenn Murphy told the court on Tuesday: "It appeared to the RSPCA that there was no reasonable cause for the chastisement that was being given.
The court heard the DVD had been viewed by a vet who concluded "the actions were not those of a reasonably competent and humane carer". "It was unacceptable.
Joanne Stephens, defending, said neither Mason nor Macleod had intended to cause the animals pain. "In modern times, it is totally inappropriate to use physical violence as part of a training regime."
The court heard both dogs were signed over to the RSPCA by their owners and are now doing well. The court was told that a veterinary expert had reviewed the footage for the RSPCA.
"In his opinion, Mason and McLeod, their actions were not then the actions of a reasonably competent and humane animal carer," added Mr Murphy.
However, defending the two officers, Andrew Hutchinson noted that in 240 hours of video footage, only 13 scenes of unacceptable behaviour had been uncovered.
He said that RSPCA visits to their home had found the animals to be adequately housed, with bedding and food.
'Internal investigation'
Mr Hutchinson said that despite McLeod admitting two charges of causing unnecessary suffering, and Mason one offence, that the pair had never intentionally set out to harm the animals.
"Neither of these dogs had any injuries, none whatsoever," he added.
Both officers have been removed from frontline duties by North Wales Police pending the outcome of the case against them, and could now face losing their jobs.
A force spokesperson said: "North Wales Police are conducting an internal investigation. Therefore it would be inappropriate to comment at this time."
Both dogs were signed over to the RSPCA by their owners. They have been re-homed and are doing well.