Man caught kicking and dragging dog while already banned from owning animals

A Glasgow man has been handed a ban after repeatedly abusing a dog in his care, even after receiving another ban for the same behaviour.

Grzegorz Bieniek was reported to the Scottish SPCA after multiple people saw him being violent to a young dog out in public.

A number of incidents were reported to the animal welfare charity, including Bieniek being seen kicking the dog, named Kaiser, in the stomach and groin and dragging him by the collar, tightening it around the dog’s throat.

His attacks caused Kaiser to howl in pain, and he was seen to be terrified and cowering, with his tail between his legs and flattened ears, typical body language of a frightened dog.

An inspector visited Bieniek’s property in Shettleston, alongside police officers, as it was confirmed that he had a history of violent offending.

The inspector said: “I cautioned Mr Bieniek, but he refused to acknowledge the caution or answer whether he understood it.

Grzegorz Bieniek was sentenced to a five-year ban on owning and keeping animals and handed a Restriction of Liberty Order for 270 days at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday, November 10, after physically abusing and causing unnecessary suffering to Kaiser, which he was responsible for. SSPCA

“I then proceeded to advise him he was a suspect in an offence relating to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, and that we would be seizing Kaiser due to significant concern for his welfare.

“His behaviour then became heightened, and his anger was escalating. He began acting in a threatening and aggressive manner while pacing and baring his teeth.

“He walked towards me, and police had to intervene to ensure the situation did not escalate further.”

Kaiser was taken away and underwent weeks of behavioural work to help him regain trust in humans.

A SSPCA vet said: “The mental impact of his abuse of the dog is understandable. The dog would be constantly in fear of more such events, and this is demonstrated by the reported cowering and reluctance to move following the attacks.”

Bieniek was sentenced to a five-year ban on owning and keeping animals and handed a Restriction of Liberty Order for 270 days at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday, November 10, after physically abusing and causing unnecessary suffering to Kaiser, which he was responsible for.

He was already disqualified from owning and keeping animals following a trial last year where he was found guilty of repeatedly punching a dog and handed a five-year disqualification order.

The charity said the court’s ban would not be enough to deter further abuse.

They said: “A ban in itself will not be enough to deter further abuse, unless we can monitor it. That is why we are calling for a National Animals Offenders Register to be introduced and built into existing intelligence systems.

“Setting up this system is crucial to allow for monitoring of individuals convicted of animal cruelty and flag repeat offenders like Bieniek.”