Dog owner who punched and slapped his pets gets 15-year ban

Nula, a one-year-old black labrador cross, who was punched and slapped by her owner. Credit: RSPCA.

A man from Norfolk has been banned from keeping dogs for 15 years after he was filmed punching and slapping his two labradors.

Darren Mansi, of School Lane, Harleston, pleaded guilty to animal welfare offences at Lowestoft Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old was charged after a member of the public filmed him hitting and slapping his dogs in October 2014.

The footage shows Mansi hitting two-year-old golden labrador cross Marmaduke hard across the face four times - causing him to yelp in pain.

He then slaps female black labrador cross Nula, aged one, five or six times across the face. After she runs away, Mansi calls her back and punches her in the chest before slapping her on the back.

The RSPCA have taken the dogs into their care.

As well as a 15-year ban, Mansi was fined £6,363 and given 180-hours of community service.