Man caught repeatedly kicking dog in distressing 10-minute incident

A MAN HAS BEEN BANNED FROM KEEPING DOGS FOR ONE YEAR AFTER HE WAS FILMED ON CAMERA REPEATEDLY KICKING HIS PET 12:37, 30 May 2025 A man has been banned from keeping dogs for one year after he

was filmed on camera repeatedly kicking his pet. Joshua Prior, 33, of Kings Road, Plymouth, Devon, pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence at Plymouth Magistrates' Court. Clips of

the man's actions were shared with the RSPCA, which resulted in an investigation and court case carried out by the animal charity. One video shows Mr Prior with his French Bulldog,

Ronnie, and a second dog he has on a leash. It is during this film he is caught kicking his dog, before slapping him, according to PlymouthLive. READ MORE: CHILLING CCTV SHOWS KILLER

PRISONERS LEAVING CELL AFTER BATTERING INMATE TO DEATH Article continues below Another video from August 25, 2024 showed the man using his left foot to kick Ronnie, as he walked out of a

lift before his owner. A vet who watched the footage said: "This was a hard kick which landed at the rear aspect of the dog, lifted his back end off the ground and propelled him

anticlockwise through 90 degrees before he landed on all four feet. "The man and dog then turned to the right and continued along the corridor, then they turned left to go into a flat.

At this stage the dog was kicked by the man’s left foot again. "I understand that the man was angry with Ronnie due to an earlier altercation by the dog outside. Any addressing of a

behavioural issue such as using the term 'no' in a firm voice can be carried out immediately. "A dog would be unable to relate any form of reprimand were it given at a later

time. This refers to the physical reprimand when coming out of the lift even more so." The vet added Ronnie appeared unreactive to the incident, suggesting the dog had learned to block

the sensation out. READ MORE: 'DEVASTATED AND ANGERED' - TWO YOUNGSTERS HIT BY CARS ON SAME BIRMINGHAM ROAD They said in the report: "Were this the first time that he had been

kicked you would expect the dog to jump and look around to see what had “attacked” him, possibly bark and even snap at his attacker. Instead, he does nothing. This strongly indicates that

he was used to physical, and probably psychological abuse and had learned to block it out. "It is my professional opinion that this dog suffered, and that this suffering was

unnecessary. "The suffering went on for ten minutes whilst the video was taken, however bruising and fear for far longer. There is a likelihood that this abuse and subsequent suffering

had been going on for a prolonged period as judged by the shutting down behaviour of the dog." During mitigation, Mr Prior reportedly said he was remorseful over the incident, stating

it was a one-off, and he was angry not with the dog, but himself. RSPCA Inspector Jim Farr, who investigated the incident for the animal charity, said: "The footage shows what Ronnie

experienced. No animal deserves to be kicked and slapped. Article continues below "We'd plead to all pet owners to always show animals kindness and to reach out for help and

support if they are struggling with training or behavioural issues they feel need to be addressed. It's never acceptable to lose your temper and take it out on a defenceless animal.

They feel pain." Mr Prior has been issued a dog disqualification order for a year, a 12 month community order, and he must also complete up to 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement

days. The man was also handed a £120 fine, ordered to pay £200 in court costs and the £114 victim surcharge.