Demmi James Grice banned from keeping animals for five years

Demmi James Grice (7/10/88), 25 was found guilty of animal cruelty and was banned from keeping animals for five years on Monday 2 December, after a court heard how he punched his Jack Russell terrier before smashing its head against the pavement.

Grice, of Waithlands Road, Rochdale was also ordered to pay £1,049 in fines and costs. He was ordered to pay £864 in costs, a £165 fine and £20 in victim surcharges.

Grice, who was given the dog a year ago by his mother, held the dog upside down and then slammed its head into the concrete pavement.

Grice was then witnessed angrily shouting at the dog before lifting it up by its lead so it was dangling several feet above the ground. He then went on to punch the dog in the head before throwing it to the ground.

The attack, which happened in Molesworth Street, Rochdale only stopped when witnesses confronted Grice and intervened.

Grice then fled with the dog but onlookers caught up with him and restrained him until the police arrived. Upon his arrest, the two-year-old Jack Russell was taken into care by the RSPCA where the dog is now recovering from its ordeal.

During his court appearance, Grice accepted that he shouted at the dog and held him up by his lead but denied one count of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. He also stated that the witnesses were lying and that he had not punched the dog or thrown it to the ground.

Grice appeared at Bury Magistrates Court on Monday 2 December.