Evil dog owner repeatedly punched terrified cockapoo in head and placed her in strangle-hold

An evil dog owner was captured on CCTV repeatedly punching his terrified cockapoo in the head before swinging her around by the neck.

The distressing footage captured vile abuser Thomas Hardy throwing a dog with force into a lift, before kicking her and proceeding to smash the security camera. Another clip showed Hardy punching a female tan Cockapoo in the head five times before placing the animal in a strangle-hold, compressing her chest between his legs, and swinging her around by the neck.

The security footage, taken from Prior Court in Billingham on July 18, 2023, captures him violently throwing the dog into a lift before kicking her under the chin. Just 10 days later, a second brown-coloured Cockapoo was seen being yanked off his front feet on a lead at the same tower block.

The distressing footage was passed to the RSPCA by the police and an investigation by the animal welfare charity followed. Hardy, 32, admitted two charges of unnecessary suffering by inflicting blunt force trauma, physical violence, and intimidatory behaviour. He was given a 12-week prison sentence for each offence - suspended for 24 months - when he was sentenced at Teesside Magistrates Court last Tuesday, April 30.

The 32-year-old was also banned from keeping animals for 12 years. Magistrates heard how police, accompanied by an RSPCA inspector, visited the flat on August 2, 2023, forcing entry due to concerns after there was no response.

In written evidence to the court, the RSPCA inspector said: "Inside the property was a light brown Cockapoo type dog, she was very nervous and cowering down. The flat the dog was living in was very unkempt and smelt of excrement and had faeces littered around. The dog was seized by the police and placed into the care of the RSPCA and I put her in my vehicle."

The brown Cockapoo, who did not belong to Hardy, could not be located in the flat and the animal's whereabouts remains unknown.

The court was shown CCTV footage from July 18 which saw Hardy holding the tan cockapoo by the scruff of her neck as he pressed the door buzzer to be let in. He was then captured lowering the dog between his legs and compressing her chest with his thighs as she is suspended off the floor.

Hardy then places her in a stranglehold and lifts her up further away from the floor before cuffing her across the head with his right hand. In other clips captured on the same day, the dog cowers from Hardy and attempts to flee before he grabs her by the scruff and lifts her off the floor.

The animal is then hurled into a lift, crashing into the rear wall. Hardy then kicks her under the chin and covers the security camera.

Ten days later, the male brown cockapoo is captured on CCTV following Hardy and initially wagging his tail. Hardy is then seen grabbing the dog by the neck and violently putting a lead on him before dropping him to the floor and yanking off his front feet. The dog's tail stops wagging and he is noticeably shaken.

In written evidence to the court, the vet who examined the female dog and viewed the CCTV footage, said: "The individual in the videos is clearly seen to hit, choke, kick and throw the tan cockapoo. There is no reason to treat any animal in this way. The dog will have suffered physical pain and in addition showed clear signs of emotional distress."

The vet concluded that Hardy caused both dogs pain and left them in fear, making them suffer unnecessarily. The court heard how Hardy failed to show up for an interview with an RSPCA inspector at a police station on August 6 following the incidents. During another visit to Prior Court on September 1, the charity's inspector was told Hardy had vacated the property, and further attempts to reach him had failed.

Hardy was given a 10-year ban that he won't be able to contest, as well as 10 rehabilitation days. He was also ordered to attend a thinking skills programme, and made to pay costs of £600.

Speaking after the conclusion of the case, RSPCA Chief Inspector Mark Gent said: "The video footage of these dogs being abused by Hardy multiple times was very difficult to watch. It's hard to understand how someone can treat animals with such contempt and cruelty, and we will never know, as the defendant refused to be interviewed about it. We'd sincerely like to thank the police and the security staff for their assistance in this case which has been upsetting for everyone involved."

The female cockapoo has since found a new lease on life, having been cared for at a private boarding facility facilitated by the RSPCA, before being happily rehomed.