A MAN has admitted causing suffering to his dog after neighbours watched him throw the German Shepherd into a swimming pool and then hit him with a pipe.

Police were called to an address in High Harrington, Workington, at 7pm on June 17, to reports that a man was abusing his dogs, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Officers spoke to neighbours who provided videos of David Meteer, 68, assaulting the dogs.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the defendant was seen picking up the German Shepherd dog called Brody, and throwing him into a swimming pool.

Ms Fee said he was strangling the dog and hitting him with a blue pipe. This was recorded by neighbours.

He was shouting at the dog, calling him a blonde b*****d and a blonde t***.

The dog was seized by police and taken to the vet. He had breaking of the skin and whip marks.

Photos were provided by the vet which showed lacerations and injuries to the dog’s mouth, as well as other marks.

Ms Fee said the neighbours’ children, who had taken videos of the dogs being abused, had been caused 'quite significant distress' by seeing the incident taking place.

Meteer was interviewed by police and gave ‘no comment’ throughout. However, during arrest, he had admitted hitting the dog with a pipe and throwing him into a pool.

Ms Fee said the dog was 'clearly terrified' by the behaviour. She said it was a 'deliberate attempt' to cause suffering.

John Goodwin, defending, requested an adjournment before magistrates proceed to sentence, which could see the defendant banned from keeping animals.

Mr Goodwin said: “I would like to instruct a dog behaviourist who can look at Mr Meteer’s set-up at the home and give an assessment if he is a fit and proper person to keep a dog.

“He has kept dogs for many years. He is a 68-year-old man with no previous convictions.

“He has lost it following a fight between two German Shepherds which he owns.”

Meteer, of West Ghyll Place to Charity Lane, High Harrington, Workington, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

The case was adjourned until December 19. In the meantime, the defendant must not be in charge of a dog or purchase or acquire a dog.

  • The defendant’s dogs are currently being kept in kennels

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