Ring doorbell captures moment dog owner throws helpless little puppy | UK | News

A dog owner caught on a Ring doorbell camera throwing a helpless puppy has been banned from keeping pooches for 10 years. Jonathan Oldham, 23, held 12-week-old puppy Zena by the scruff of the neck before hurling the pet along a corridor last summer in Weaverham, Northwich, in Cheshire.

The RSPCA animal charity described the Presa Canario's yelps off camera, following three “loud thuds”, as “heartbreaking”. A vets’ report said the cries in the footage suggested “fear” and “distress” and added the “loud bangs” could have been him striking the pup.

Oldham, who pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates' Court, was also fined £160 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £64.

 

Oldham admitted an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of not meeting Zena's needs, by failing to avoid using “inappropriately harsh, potentially painful and frightening handling, control, training or disciplinary measures”.

 

The RSPCA said Zena had been removed from the flat in Weaverham, by a friend of Oldham's partner before the animal charity could take her into care but she was later taken to a vet.

 

In June 2024 Animal rescue officer Scarlet Sanderson had been following up reports the dog was being neglected when she saw the footage of Oldham walking through a flat’s front door carrying the dog by the scruff of the neck.

She said: “The male then threw the puppy very hard further into the corridor, out of shot. The male then went over to where he threw the pup, then loud thuds were heard and the puppy yelping/crying in pain.

“The male then came back into shot, carrying the puppy by the scruff of the neck again and threw it back inside the flat.”

The neighbour said others had heard the pet “crying out and yelping daily” as well as “lots of shouting and thuds”.

Ms Sanderson went to the flat and could see Zena through a window “looking rather sombre and lifeless”, unlike other young puppies.

“After a while of me talking to the puppy through the window, I managed to get a small tail wag and for them to stand up to get a better look at me,” she said.

“I could not see any sign of injury but they were reluctant to move.”

RSPCA Inspector Nadine Pengilly said in a statement that she visited the property the next day and the day after that, and was able to establish that the occupant had not returned.

However, Zena was visible through a window on both occasions, looked “bright and alert” but thin. The officer put some wet dog food and biscuits through the letterbox and she could hear the puppy eating it.

She added that after meeting Jonathan Oldham, it was “my strong belief” that he was the man in the video – based on his physical descriptions. Both the defendant and the man filmed had tattoos.

Speaking after Oldham was sentenced, Ms Sanderson said: “The cries from this poor puppy, which were caught on the video, were absolutely heartbreaking.

“The vet who examined the footage said they reflected real fear and distress of the kind no animal should have to endure. It is totally inexcusable to treat a dog in this way.

“But what the case also shows is that when kind members of the public report abuse and neglect of pets, especially backed up with camera footage, the RSPCA will investigate thoroughly and succeed in bringing the guilty to justice.”