29 August 2023 , 09:49
664
0
A puppy was beaten half to death after his twisted owner beat him up for "p***ing on his leg".
The frightened whippet was left unconscious with several teeth knocked out and a swollen head after the cowardly attack in Hull. Vets at Hull PDSA Animal Hospital initially thought poor Terry, bundled in a blanket, had already died because he was in a collapsed state and unresponsive.
Miraculously, they then spotted shallow breathing and rushed into action to help save his life. Vet nurse Rachel Coombes, who was on shift when Terry was brought in, was so upset about the state of his suffering that she said to colleagues: "If he survives this I will adopt him."
Poor Terry had bruising to the white of his left eye and bruising to his upper and lower lips. Three of his upper incisors were missing and another tooth was broken.
He was placed in an oxygen tent to assist his breathing and was also put on a special heat mat as he was found to be in a hypothermic state. He was later put on an intravenous drip and the emergency veterinary treatment continued until his vital organs had normalised and he regained consciousness.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
Terry was left unconscious with several teeth knocked out (Hull Daily Mail / MEN Media)An X-ray was taken which revealed that, fortunately, Terry did not have a fractured skull, but his injuries were consistent with being hit. Due to the suspicious nature of his injuries, the RSPCA was called to investigate.
Inspector Laura Barber traced the owner of the pup, and police were able to place him in the care of the RSPCA. Inspector Barber said: "He was in such a sad state and was really quiet and withdrawn when he was with people. I always remember him coming over to me and putting his head on me and being so trusting.
The defenceless pup was beaten unconscious (RSPCA)
Terry is now thriving (PA)"He was so loveable and it is great to see he has the home he deserves with such a lovely family."
Rachel kept her word and has now adopted Terry. Jake Atkin, then 24, from Hull, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and appeared before magistrates for sentencing on June 6, 2022. The court was told he suffered from bipolar disorder and abused steroids which caused anger issues, and he claimed he had "blacked out" after the puppy urinated on his leg.
Jake Atkin has been banned from owning a pet for five years (Facebook)Atkin received a 12-month community order with a mental health treatment requirement for six months. He was also banned from owning any animal for a minimum period of five years and ordered to pay £400 costs and a £95 surcharge.
The RSPCA is highlighting Terry's plight as part of the charity's Cancel Out Cruelty campaign – after latest figures showed the charity saw a 22% increase in reports of beatings in 2022 (9,658 in 2022, compared to 7,857 in 2021).
The figures released by the RSPCA today also showed:
Last year, the charity saw a 22% increase in reports of beatings (9,658 in 2022, compared to 7,857 in 2021)
- The number of beatings reported to the RSPCA in 2022 peaked in August, when 1,081 reports were received – a staggering 35 a day
The number of animals killed in ‘suspicious circumstances' increased in 2022 by 15% from by 2021 (891 in 2022, compared to 775 in 2021)
77% of all cruelty complaints reported to the charity 2022 were beatings.
Disabled woman paralysed after falling from wheelchair on plane walkway dies
"Right now, animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale and rising," said RSPCA inspectorate commissioner Dermot Murphy. "It is heartbreaking that we are seeing such sad figures which show animal cruelty is, very sadly, on the rise.
"While we don't know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis.
"Each year, these reports reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months – when an animal is beaten on average every hour of every day. The cost-of-living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit."