Man who punched dog in face in Sunderland could be jailed

A man who inflicted injuries to a dog by tossing it down steps onto concrete and punching it in the face in Sunderland after it bit him could be jailed.

The Sunderland case was heard in South Shields at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court. | Frank Reid

placeholder image — The Sunderland case was heard in South Shields at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court. | Frank Reid

McKenzie Huntstone, 26, committed the brutal act at a property in Poplar Grove, Grangetown, on July 9, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

Huntstone left the female bulldog with a laceration above an eye and cowering next to a bin.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and could be put behind bars when later sentenced.

Prosecutor John Garside told District Judge Zoe Passfield: “The circumstances are that the defendant was identified from footage and police have attended his address.

“They found the five-year-old female bulldog, named Lola, cowering beside an outside bin and gate. There were lacerations above her right eye.

“He said that Lola had bitten his foot and hand and showed the police officers.

“Footage showed the defendant punch the bulldog and throw her down some steps and then chasing it around the garden.

“The bulldog was seized and taken to a vet to be assessed. The defendant was interviewed and provided no comment.

“He does come before the court with previous convictions and was last before a court in 2021.

“It’s whether you are confident enough to allow the defendant to have dogs in his possession, because the court can disqualify the defendant from having animals.”

The charge against Huntstone states he committed cruelty by throwing the dog from the rear door of the premises down multiple steps onto concrete floor with force.

It adds that he then punched the pooch to its face, causing a laceration above its right eye.

Kyle Patterson, defending, said only that he agreed the case should be adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Judge Passfield adjourned the hearing and ordered Huntstone, of Elliott Street, in Newsham, Blyth, in Northumberland to be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, November 10.

She granted him unconditional bail and ordered an all-options report, meaning he could be jailed.

The judge told him: “I’m going to adjourn so that the Probation Service can speak to you and write a report.”