A couple have been banned from owning pets after shocking footage showed them beating their two dogs with a broom in a shocking campaign of abuse.
Martin Butters, 61, and Kristine Viksnina, 42, attacked their pets: Honey, a one-year-old Golden Labrador, and Lilu, a six-year-old Jack Russell Terrier.
Neighbors initially became concerned about the animals because they were forced to sleep outside regardless of the weather, including snow and ice.
Bradford Crown Court heard footage from Boxing Day 2022 was captured showing Butters kicking Honey, after which Honey screamed and limped away.
In February last year, the couple attacked Honey twice with a garbage container, preventing the dogs from getting into the kennel.
One-year-old Golden Labrador Honey was kicked, beaten with a broom and attacked with a wheelie bin in a shocking campaign of abuse
Six-year-old Jack Russell Terrier Lilu was forced to sleep outside in the freezing cold, beaten with a brush and picked up by the neck
Bradford Crown Court heard footage from Boxing Day 2022 was captured showing Butters kicking Honey, who screams and limps away
A month later, they were seen trying to run away from Viksnina, who attacked Honey and picked up Lilu by the neck with one hand.
Another shocking video showed an unknown object being thrown into the garden, hitting Honey in the back.
Butters was also seen hitting the dogs with a long brush before one of them called for help.
The videos showed both dogs displaying body language indicating fear and attempting to escape and hide with their tails between their legs, the court was told.
RSPCA Inspector Demi Hogby went to the house with police on April 3 last year after witnesses contacted the charity with concerns about the dogs’ welfare.
Inspector Hogby said in her statement to the court that Honey and Lilu were “both very nervous”, especially around a male police officer.
She said, ‘I said [to Viksnina] that we had received a number of videos showing the dogs being abused. These videos had been reviewed by a veterinarian who had indicated that both dogs were suffering and that they should therefore be removed from the address.
“I observed the dogs in the yard. They were both very nervous, especially around the male police officer who was present.”
In his written statement to the court, the veterinarian who viewed the footage said: ‘It is evident from various videos that both dogs were mistreated and physically abused on multiple occasions.
Butters was seen hitting the dogs with a long brush before one of them called for help
Martin Butters, 61, and Kristine Viksnina, 42, subjected their pets to a disgusting campaign of abuse
The couple are now banned from keeping pets for 12 years, and given a suspended sentence, 100 hours of unpaid work and must pay court costs of £243 and a victim surcharge of £157.
Martin Butters and Kristine Viksnina indicated that their behavior towards the dogs, and Honey in particular, was a result of unwanted behavioral traits such as eating feces and chewing up the basket.
‘I have not seen any documentation to show that they have sought veterinary or professional advice regarding dog behaviour/training in an attempt to appropriately address these behavioural issues.
‘It appears that most of the physical violence was directed at Honey.
However, it appears that this often happened in the presence of Lilu, who also displayed body language that indicated she was experiencing fear at the time.
‘I believe that in a number of cases they have suffered as a result of the improper treatment by the person or persons responsible for their welfare.
‘These two dogs will have suffered from fear and stress, in addition to the physical pain they experienced at times from physical abuse over various periods of time.’
To mitigate her behavior, Viksnina blamed Butters, saying she had had dogs for over eight years without any problems.
Butters, who represented himself in court, apologized for his actions but said he could not understand what he had done wrong.
Both pleaded guilty at earlier hearings to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and were banned from keeping animals for 12 years.
The pair, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, were given a suspended sentence, 100 hours of unpaid community service and ordered to pay £243 in court costs, plus a £157 victim surcharge.
Lilu and Honey were cared for by the RSPCA in Doncaster, Rotherham and surrounding areas and have both found forever homes.
Detective Inspector Hogby said after the case: ‘We are grateful to the people who have reported their concerns about Honey and Lilu to us.
“Both dogs were subjected to unacceptable physical and emotional abuse and we are pleased that we were able to ensure they now have a much better future.”
