Animal ban for man who hit dog on the head repeatedly with a hammer

Alfie with hit repeatedly with a hammer. Credit: RSPCA

A man from Bishop Auckland has been banned from keeping dogs for five years after hitting his then partner’s Staffordshire bull terrier on the head repeatedly with a hammer.

Lee Andrew Johnson of Weeds, Westgate was sentenced at Peterlee Magistrates Court on Tuesday 14th February.

At a trial earlier this month he was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog, called ‘Alfie’, by beating and kicking him.

RSPCA inspector Emma Stainthorpe said:

Alfie suffered a fracture to his left frontal sinus area and the hammer caused a depression in the bone.

Alfie also had injuries to his back end which veterinary evidence suggested was consistent with being kicked.

Johnson was also given a 12 month community order including 30 days of rehabilitation requirement and ordered to pay £500 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.