An animal abuser who repeatedly hit his XL Bully with a baseball bat and threw bricks at her has managed to walk free from court with just a suspended prison sentence.
James Campbell, a 50-year-old from Birkenhead, just outside Liverpool, was filmed chucking bricks and pans of water at 21-month-old dog Zeus, which he frequently abused in the back garden of his home on Harrowby Road.
A witness who provided evidence in the case, heard at Liverpool Magistrates Court, said they also saw Campbell grabbing the dog by its neck, headbutting and violently shouting at her.
Following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA, he was handed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a six-year ban on keeping animals, as well as a £200 fine.
He admitted to violating the Animal Welfare act at a previous hearing.
Liverpool Magistrates Court was told that Zeus was removed from Campbell’s care on August 8, 2024, following concerns that he was abusing her.
He told cops that his wrist was injured after the dog had bitten him, and that he had acted in self defence against the dog’s ‘frustrating’ behaviour.
He had owned her for just a few months, and failed to get an exemption certification to keep her, since she was a banned breed.
A witness who provided evidence in the case, heard at Liverpool Magistrates Court, said they also saw Campbell grabbing the dog by its neck
Liverpool Magistrates Court was told that Zeus was removed from Campbell’s care on August 8, 2024, following concerns that he was abusing her
As a result, she was put down by a vet after he signed her over to authorities.
A vet who viewed footage of the incident told the court that significant swelling to the dog’s head indicated just how hard she was hit.
The vet said: ‘Swelling of this size indicates the hit was relatively strong. A reasonable owner would have sought veterinary care in the case of any injuries noticed on the dog’s body. That help was not provided.
‘The owner admitted he threw bricks at the dog’s abdominal area. This can lead to internal bleeding, organ injuries and death in extreme cases. Having reviewed the dog’s body language, she is trying to avoid and escape the torment.
‘This again indicates she is being exposed to a situation she does not want to be in.
‘Dogs suffer mentally while beating, these sort of situations are very stressful for them, especially when they have no safe space to escape to or hide.
‘Considering the video evidence and witness statements it is clear that Zeus suffered repeated acts of physical violence.
‘These acts were forceful and caused significant injuries. Any dogs, especially newly rehomed dogs can behave in frustrating ways – that includes chewing objects and ignoring owners commands.
‘That is not an excuse for beating. This sort of behaviour is unacceptable.’
Campbell told RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes that he had hit the dog ‘three or four times’ with a baseball bat in self defence.
Though he denied headbutting her, he admitted that he may have thrown small bricks at her at least twice.
Speaking after the case Inspector Joynes said: ‘Zeus was subjected to violent and senseless abuse at the hands of Campbell on a number of occasions.
James Campbell, a 50-year-old from Birkenhead, just outside Liverpool, was filmed chucking brocks and pans of water at 21-month-old dog Zeus
The dog was put down by a vet after he signed her over to authorities
Since December 2023, it has been illegal to sell, give away, abandon or breed XL Bullies
‘The witness said they had never seen her behave aggressively, and the self-defence injuries Campbell claimed to have suffered just didn’t add up.
‘It’s heartbreaking that many dogs like Zeus have been and will be euthanised simply because they are considered to be dangerous because they look a certain way.’
Since December 2023, it has been illegal to sell, give away, abandon or breed XL Bullies.
It is also illegal to rehome or transfer ownership of the violent breed, and from February 2024 it has been a criminal offence to own one without an exemption certificate.
