Woman dragged dog down street

A WOMAN "terrified" her dog when she dragged it back into her garden after it got out.

Fiona McDonagh, 31, shouted aggressively at Staffordshire bull terrier Bonnie after it escaped.

She has now been banned from keeping dogs for two years for her "deplorable" actions.

Dog wardens found her Staffordshire bull terrier Bonnie walking the streets after she ran away when McDonagh lost her temper.

Bonnie was taken into the care of the RSPCA at the centre in Clough Road, Hull.

Inspector Hannah Bryer said: "This is a case where no physical injuries were inflicted but causing suffering through fear and terror is equally as deplorable.

"Dogs rely on their owners to treat them fairly and with respect.

"It is never acceptable to frighten a dog and, as a result of RSPCA investigation, we were able to bring this case to court and safeguard Bonnie's future welfare."

McDonagh, of Hilston Grove, east Hull, admitted causing unnecessary suffering through fear or distress when she appeared at Hull Magistrates' Court.

A witness told the RSPCA they saw McDonagh repeatedly shouting aggressively at the dog and dragging her, causing her to cower, tuck her tail between her legs and later run off.

It happened several times in one morning.

District Judge Frederick Rutherford rejected an application from McDonagh's solicitor for Bonnie to be returned to her, saying she acted on impulse.

Philip Brown, representing the RSPCA, said: "While the first incident might be described as impulsive, the fact that there were sustained acts of cruelty on two further occasions in a very short space of time significantly undermined the suggestion that this was a single impulsive act."

Judge Rutherford said: "These have been described as impulsive acts of neglect on your behalf.

"They may have started impulsively but I consider this to be sustained cruelty because you have taken emotional pressures that you were feeling at the time out on your dog on more than one occasion.

"I have to ask myself whether or not there is any prospect of a repeat of your behaviour if the same set of circumstances arose again. I do not agree that you should keep the dog.

"This was more than a passing moment and it is clear that this dog was terrified of you at that time.

"In those circumstances I do not believe that it is appropriate to return the dog to you."

Miss Bryer said Bonnie has improved since she was taken away from her owner on January 9.

She said: "When Bonnie first came into our care, she was nervous and timid, with gentle and positive handling she soon came out of her shell and has been excelling at agility training with the staff at the animal home.

"She is a super dog and she has already been reserved to go to a new home."

McDonagh was also given a community order, with a month-long curfew from 7pm to 6am.

Anyone interested in rehoming an animal can call Hull RSPCA on 01482 341331.