Kingskerswell man banned for beating dog and trying to bin him

Adam Lawford, 41, of Lyn Grove, Kingskerswell, was sentenced at Exeter Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, October 21, after being found guilty of an animal welfare offence following an investigation by the RSPCA.

The court heard how Lawford attacked Brandy, his father's 11-month-old cocker spaniel, during a walk through Kingskerswell on April 30, 2025.

Several members of the public witnessed the incident near Coles Lane and immediately contacted police after seeing the dog being beaten.

Witnesses described how Brandy attempted to escape by running between parked cars before Lawford grabbed him and shook him.

They also reported seeing Lawford lift the spaniel into the air and slam him onto the pavement before carrying him over his shoulder, with the dog appearing to be unconscious.

The court heard that Lawford subsequently picked Brandy up by his back legs and attempted to put him into a recycling bin.

Passers-by who tried to intervene were reportedly sworn at and told to "get back in their car", while the frightened spaniel appeared to be "scared stiff".

CCTV footage obtained from the route supported the witness accounts, and police stopped Lawford before taking Brandy to a veterinary practice.

The dog was examined and found to have abrasions to his chin and upper lip, moderate bruising to his abdomen and wounds to his head and right ear.

Veterinary evidence suggested the injuries were less than 24 hours old and were likely to have been sustained during the incident.

Brandy was also described as extremely timid despite being an otherwise sweet-natured dog, indicating he had suffered psychological distress.

The veterinary report stated: "Although Brandy sustained minor physical injuries from his experience, he was not protected from suffering as defined by the Animal Welfare Act.

"He suffered both physical trauma (evident in his injuries) and mental trauma shown by his timidness in an otherwise sweet-natured dog."

Lawford denied wrongdoing and maintained that witnesses had fabricated their accounts.

However, District Judge Smith said he was satisfied by the witness evidence and CCTV footage, describing what happened as an "appalling offence" in which Lawford dragged and beat the dog and attempted to put him into a bin.

Lawford was disqualified from keeping any animals for five years and cannot apply to have the ban lifted for at least three years.

He was also handed a two-year community order with a probation requirement and ordered to undergo alcohol abstinence monitoring for 120 days.

The court imposed a £360 fine, £700 in costs and a £144 victim surcharge.

RSPCA inspector Jim Farr investigated the case and collected Brandy from the veterinary practice following his examination.

Brandy's owner, Lawford's father, subsequently signed him over to the charity, which cared for him before finding him a new home.

RSPCA inspector Sarah Morris, who assisted with the investigation, said: "There is absolutely no excuse for treating any animal in this way. Brandy must've been scared and incredibly distressed during this ordeal. And the various passersby who witnessed it were also very upset by what they had seen.

"Thankfully, after everything Brandy has been through, he is now recovered and in a loving new home."