Man who beat puppy in court

A puppy was left with serious injuries to her eyes and face after being beaten by her owner's partner, Rotorua District Court has been told.

Rotorua sawmill worker Edward Terrence Hulton, 35, appeared in Rotorua District Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to a charge of ill treating his partner's 6 to 8-week-old puppy, Diamond, on December 13 last year. Hulton also pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to ensure the physical health and behavioural needs of Diamond were met.

Judge Russell Callander banned Hulton from owning an animal for two years and ordered him to pay a $500 fine and $132 court costs which would go to the SPCA. Hulton was also ordered to pay $258 reparation to SPCA.

Rotorua SPCA animal welfare inspector Andy Hope told the court that Hulton was seen dragging Diamond - a bulldog cross - by the chain to a shed.

A person saw Hulton throw Diamond into the shed and heard the puppy hit the wall. The puppy was yelping and crying. The witness heard 10 bangs and believed the animal was being thrown against the wall as with each loud bang the animal let our a cry or a yelp.

Hulton left the shed and thinking Diamond was dead, the witness called SPCA. The witness then saw the puppy was still alive, sitting in the corner of garden shaking and licking her back leg. Hulton picked the puppy up by the scruff of his neck before repeatedly slapping the dog in the face.

Hulton was shouting at Diamond, "stop sh...ing around here". The puppy yelped loudly every time she was hit, Mr Hope said.

The SPCA inspector found Diamond was fearful, had her tail between her legs and urinated when handled.

She continuously tried to avoid human contact and ran under the house when released.

Hulton initially told the inspector the bikes in the shed had fallen on the puppy and he had gone to untangle her.

The inspector found the bikes all stacked against the walls of the shed.

The inspector took Diamond to the SPCA and a vet found the puppy had serious injuries to her eyes and her face. Diamond had bleeding within the whites of her eyes and the vet said the injury was consistent with trauma to the head or from being shaken. She also had a cut to her right gum consistent with friction or trauma.

Hulton was interviewed the next day and told the SPCA inspector a cat was attacking the dog's face and the bikes in the shed had fallen on her. He said he did not slap, kick or drag the puppy.

Yesterday in court Judge Callander said it was still not clear why Hulton had done what he had done.

Hulton told the judge the dog had bit his daughter and he whacked her away into the garage and the bikes fell on her.

Hulton's lawyer Nicky Scott said Hulton had three children including a newborn.

There were no words to explain Hulton's actions and he was deeply remorseful. He had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Judge Callander said the offences were serious and Hulton should not have a dog if he could not look after or train it properly.

Outside court Mr Hope said Diamond had been rehomed.