Community Outrage Erupts After Man Caught on Camera Brutally Beating Wife's Dog
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A man from Mitta has been filmed brutally assaulting his wife's dog with a golf club, an act that has sickened a local magistrate and sparked widespread outrage. The disturbing incident, captured on a security camera, involved the repeated striking of a black kelpie named Socks.
Key Takeaways
- Richard Shane Hay, 61, admitted to abusing an animal.
- The dog, Socks, was subjected to "repeated blunt force trauma" with a golf club.
- Hay was filmed suspending the dog by its neck and striking it multiple times.
- The magistrate expressed disgust but ordered Hay to be of good behaviour and pay compensation.
The Disturbing Incident
The Wodonga Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday, October 22, that Richard Shane Hay attacked his wife's 10-year-old black kelpie, Socks. Video footage, tendered in court, shows Hay suspending the dog by its neck and striking it approximately a dozen times with what appeared to be a golf club. The abuse occurred after Socks had escaped from Hay's property.
RSPCA Investigation and Court Proceedings
The RSPCA was provided with the video evidence, which was filmed by a security camera at the town's caravan park. RSPCA vet Rebecca Belousoff reviewed the footage and stated it depicted "repeated blunt force trauma." She noted that Socks would have experienced significant stress, fear, and pain during the ordeal.
Despite the severity of the assault, the dog did not exhibit obvious signs of pain or tenderness, nor any bone fractures. Hay reportedly told investigators he intended to "teach the dog a lesson" and believed he hadn't hit the animal too hard. The RSPCA prosecutor informed the court that Hay demonstrated "no concern for the dog's welfare."
Community Reaction and Sentencing
Magistrate Ian Watkins expressed his revulsion, stating, "I felt sick when I heard that summary. And looking at those photos, it was just horrifying to think a man could treat a dog that way." Hay, who runs the local general store, is a well-respected figure in the Mitta community, with character references submitted from prominent locals.
Mr. Watkins acknowledged Hay's community contributions but emphasised that his anger had gotten the better of him. He ordered Hay to be of good behaviour for two years, pay $4000 in compensation to the RSPCA, and a $1500 court fund contribution. The RSPCA had sought to prevent Socks from being returned to Hay, but the magistrate reluctantly decided against it, stating the dog was not at greater risk than other animals in Hay's care.
Public Scrutiny
The magistrate noted that the case would attract significant media attention and public scrutiny, warning Hay that the community would be watching his future interactions with animals. The incident has understandably drawn strong condemnation from animal welfare advocates and the wider public.