Ten year ban for cruel Lancashire dog owner kicked and hit German Shepherd puppy

A “cruel” man has been banned from keeping animals for ten years after he was caught on CCTV abusing his seven-month-old puppy.

Thirty two-year-old hit and kicked the German Shepherd outside his flat in Whalley Road, Accrington.

The pup, called Chase, has now been adopted by a family and has put on almost 10kg in the eight weeks he has been in his new home.

At a sentencing hearing at Burnley Magistrates Court this wee, Monaghan was also ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work for his ill treatment of Chase following a prosecution brought by the RSPCA.

He had previously pleaded guilty to one Animal Welfare Act offence at a hearing on May 20.

RSPCA Inspector Daniel Tomlinson went to Monaghan’s flat with the police after CCTV footage taken on July24, 2025 had been passed to the animal welfare charity and seen by a vet who said Chase was suffering or likely to suffer if his circumstances didn’t change.

The footage showed Monaghan leaving his flat before turning towards Chase and swinging a rucksack which struck the dog on the top of his head, causing some of the contents to fall out. The puppy responded by lying down on the ground and avoiding eye contact with his owner.

Monaghan then stood on the German Shepherd’s lead and hit Chase on the back with his left hand before using his other foot to kick and push the puppy back into a sitting position.

As Chase moved towards the back gate Monaghan pulled him backwards, causing the dog to fall to the ground on his left side. While the puppy lay there the defendant then kicked him with force on his left hind leg.

The final section of footage shows Chase getting back on his feet and beginning to walk away from Monaghan. The dog’s body posture is low and crouched, his tail is tucked underneath him and he continues to avoid eye contact with his owner.

In his written statement to the court Inspector Tomlinson said: “I observed Chase, a young German Shepherd dog, who appeared to me to be in a lean body condition. He was calm and friendly. I was present while the police officer explained to Monaghan that he was taking Chase into possession.”

The puppy was taken to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where he was examined and given routine vaccinations and flea and worming treatment.

A vet who reviewed the CCTV footage and gave written evidence in the case; said: “In my opinion the needs of Chase have not been met to the extent required by good practice due to the person responsible for the welfare of this animal inflicting physical abuse, thereby failing to protect him from injury, pain and suffering.

“Chase has been caused to suffer by the infliction of physical abuse. Suffering will have been experienced by this animal via mechanisms of fear and distress, and possibly pain for a period of several minutes, possibly longer.”

A court signed Chase over into the care of the RSPCA for rehoming at an earlier hearing and he has now been adopted by a family from Wirral and renamed Wolfie.

Described by his adopter as “forlorn” and “sad” at first, Wolfie initially weighed 23.7kg (52.24 pounds), putting on almost 10kg (22.04 pounds) in eight weeks in his new home. He now tips the scales at 39 kilograms (85.98 pounds).

He bonded immediately with his new family’s other German Shepherd dog and the two are now said to be inseparable.

Over the coming weeks Wolfie’s owner said his “zest for life” returned and he now spends his days enjoying long walks in local woods with his new canine companion.

In addition to the ten-year ban, Monaghan was also ordered to carry out a 12-month community order with 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and pay costs of £200 and a £114 victim surcharge.

The judge told him he should be ashamed of himself and described Monaghan’s behaviour as “cruel.”

In mitigation the court was told the defendant was remorseful about what had happened and said the flat was too small for him and Chase.

Speaking after sentencing Inspector Tomlinson said: “The footage of such a young dog being abused by his owner in this way was upsetting to see, and we’re grateful to everyone who assisted us in helping to bring this case to court.

“Wolfie looks the picture of health now and it’s lovely to see images of him in his new home where he’s clearly thriving and living his best life.”