Ban for Bristol man who neglected and assaulted his dogs

A Bristol man who witnesses said they saw assaulting a Staffordshire bull terrier and labrador he neglected in his care has been banned from keeping animals for ten years after a prosecution by the RSPCA.

George Venner, 27, of East Street, Bedminster, was convicted of four offences under the Animal Welfare 2006 and appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on December 6 to be sentenced.

As well as disqualifying him, magistrates imposed a 24-week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months.

The court heard that RSPCA inspector Kimily Walters went to Venner’s former flat at Strawberry Close in Nailsea on September 14 last year following an earlier visit she had made, so she could check on the condition of the dogs as well as put to him allegations that had been made by witnesses who had contacted the animal charity.

The RSPCA received reports that dogs at the property had been left unattended and that they had also been hit and kicked by the defendant, while one of them was underweight and suffering with a lump on her chest for which veterinary treatment was not sought.

Inspector Walters said she found Harley, an elderly brindle and white bull terrier, in a poor condition with her ribs and hips prominent in the flat, which smelt strongly of ammonia and faeces.

“I saw she also had a large mass on her chest and overgrown nails. I was also shown Bandit, a black labrador, who was in a lean body condition and had a swollen ear that appeared sore,” the inspector said in a statement read to the court.

She also found a four-month old crossbreed puppy, who was in a reasonable state of health.

“I explained that I wished to have all the dogs examined at the vets as neighbours had seen the defendant assault the labrador cross and bull terrier cross called Harley and they were both in poor body condition,” added the inspector.

A veterinary examination confirmed Harley was underweight, scoring two out of nine on a body condition test. There were also concerns about a “pendulous mass” in her mammary region, which she underwent surgery to remove, while Bandit was suffering with an ear infection.

A vet said in his expert report that the needs of all three dogs were not met and Harley and Bandit would have been caused to suffer as a result of Venner’s actions.

Venner pleaded guilty to three animal welfare charges and denied four other animal welfare charges, but was convicted of those four offences after a trial.  

In mitigation, the court was told that the defendant suffered from mental health problems, including a personality disorder, and he had financial and health problem.

Magistrates said that the neglect in the case had been “prolonged” and they also ordered Venner pay a £154 victim surcharge and a contribution towards court costs of £1,000.

Dexter has been rehomed by the RSPCA, while Harley and Bandit have been signed over to the animal charity who will be looking to find new homes for both of them.