Man left dog trembling in fear during three-hour attack with iron and bottle

A man left a dog trembling in fear after a three-hour attack in which he struck the animal with an iron and a bottle.

Daniel Murphy also struck the one-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier with his fists during one prolonged beating in Ayrshire.

In another attack, video footage showed him picking up the dog, named Buster, by his legs and tail and throwing and dragging him across a room.

On two occasions, he was seen pouring a liquid over the dog’s head and face.

After a trial at Ayr Sheriff Court, the 43-year-old from Prestwick was jailed for nine months and banned from owning animals for life over the campaign of abuse and cruelty.

He was sentenced following a successful prosecution by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).

He pleaded guilty to a charge under animal health and welfare legislation.

Anne Marie Hicks, procurator fiscal for North Strathclyde, said: “Daniel Murphy carried out attacks on his dog which were horrific and cruel.

“This poor animal endured a shocking ordeal and was subjected to terrible mental and physical abuse.

“The images on video were extremely distressing, but Daniel Murphy has now been brought to account for his crimes.

“We take such criminality seriously, and the public can be assured that we will prosecute such matters where there is a sufficiency of evidence to do so.”

In November 2024, a housing support officer with South Ayrshire Council was alerted to multiple videos showing Murphy abusing Buster.

It came after the Scottish SPCA separately received calls on their helpline about a dog being abused at Murphy’s address.

The video footage, provided anonymously by another individual, showed him attacking the dog with his fists and other objects as well as shouting, swearing, and throwing the animal around the room.

Twenty-six videos were later viewed by officers at the Scottish SPCA.

Prosecutors told the court the dog was visibly terrified throughout the full ordeal.

It frequently rolled onto its side in submission in an attempt to avoid more blows and was seen panting and trembling.

Scottish SPCA staff, along with two police officers, eventually seized the dog from the premises of a man who said he was looking after it while Murphy was in London.

On his return, Murphy was informed he would face legal action.

A vet who examined the dog identified ongoing swelling over the left side of his skull, pain at his left shoulder and left thigh, and lameness on his left hind leg.

Buster was successfully rehomed within a week of being seized.