Man caught on CCTV repeatedly punching and kicking dog

A man has been banned from keeping dogs for five years after he punched and kicked a dog so hard that she urinated.

Mark Redford, from Edinburgh, was caught on CCTV repeatedly kicking, hitting and swinging Star, a Golden Retriever, causing her to urinate.

He was also seen yanking and lifting the one-year-old in the air on multiple occasions and later stamping on her head.

Inspectors from the Scottish SCPA visited Redford’s address in January 2024 following a welfare concern raised through their helpline.

Star was removed from the property, along with a Jack Russell, named Spot, who was also under Redford’s care.

Spot was also removed from the property Scottish SPCA via Supplied

Scottish SPCA Inspector, June Chalcroft, said: “It was beyond heartbreaking to see Star be subject to such abuse. It was unnecessarily brutal behaviour that left the poor dog terrified.

“No responsible owner would think carrying out such severe attacks is a suitable way to treat an animal.”

Redford advised that he was only looking after the dogs, as they originally belonged to his siblings.

A veterinary examination found that both dogs were healthy, but the attacks would have caused Star “significant distress and fear”.

The vet said: “The video shows what appears to be unprovoked and inappropriate handling of the one-year-old Golden Retriever. This includes excessive force applied to a lead secured to the animal’s neck, striking of the animal, and standing on the animal.

“In my professional opinion the actions displayed in the video had the potential to cause serious bodily harm to the animal. It is also of my opinion that these actions would have caused undue fear and distress to both dogs as well as causing unnecessary suffering.”

Following the vet examination, both dogs were taken to the Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothian Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Balerno.

The charity got in touch with Redford’s siblings, who ultimately signed both dogs into their care.

Redford was sentenced to a five-year ban on having custody of a dog after he admitted breaches of animal welfare legislation on April 15 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

He was also told to pay a £590 fine.

Mrs Chalcroft said: “We are pleased with the Sheriff’s decision. Redford’s extensive abuse caused both serious physical and psychological harm to the animal. This sentencing will send a clear message that animal cruelty and neglect will not be tolerated in Scotland.

“However, while a ban is the only way to ensure that this does not happen again to any animal, there is currently no system to monitor disqualification orders or track repeat offenders, which will significantly reduce the power of this sentencing.

“That’s why we’re calling for the creation of a National Animal Offenders Register, so criminals like Redford cannot go on to hurt other animals undetected. This is crucial to prevent future harm, and a measure that the next Parliament must look at seriously. These policy decisions play a key role in ensuring Scotland becomes the best place in the world for an animal to call home.”