Man admits giving his pet dog '˜a bit of a pasting'

Martin Johnson, 31, of Wenlock Walk, Grassmoor, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the dog at Chesterfield magistrates’ court on Thursday, May 18.

Prosecuting, Andy Cash, said: “On February 9 2017 the RSPCA received an audio clip which was the defendant shouting at the dog which is now known to be Sooty.

“The defendant was arrested and the dogs were recovered.”

In the police interview, Johnson made full admissions and said: “I did not beat him up I slapped him.

“I did give him a bit of a pasting.

“I dragged him outside. I went over the top with him.

“I raised my fist at him.”

A few seconds of the audio clip of Johnson shouting at Sooty was played during court but was stopped after Johnson said he did not want to listen to it.

Johnson could be heard shouting at the dog: “If I tell you to do something I expect you to do it.”

The dog could also be heard to be in distress when Johnson said: “Shut it.”

Both Sooty and another dog called Pearl were removed from Johnson’s property and are now being cared for by the RSPCA.

Defending, David Gittins, said: “The dog was not malnourished or ill treated in that respect.

“It is behaving quite normally now.

“The dog is now in the care of the society.”

The case was adjourned until tomorrow (May 19) when Johnson will be sentenced.