Thomas was interviewed and charged with the animal welfare offences. He was originally due to appear at court on Friday April 16, but failed to attend and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The warrant was executed on Sunday April 25 and he appeared it court the following day. Thomas was sentenced to a 12-month community order, with a requirement to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community and a 14-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also ordered to pay compensation totalling more than £1,300 toward vets and animal rescue bills. Thomas was also made the subject of an order under section 34 of the Animal Welfare Act, banning him from keeping animals for five years. He is not able to apply to terminate the order for at least three years.
A DORSET man who was seen beating an eight-month-old puppy outside a store has been banned from owning an animal for up to five years. Martin Thomas admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and failing to ensure the needs of an animal for which he was responsible were met. The act happened around 6pm on February 12 when officers were called to reports of a man beating his Husky dog outside Tesco Express on Bournemouth Road. Thomas, aged 37, of Bournemouth Road, Poole, was sentenced at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Monday (26 April). After enquiries were carried out, officers located Thomas at his address nearby and due to the concerns that had been raised the dog was seized using powers under the Animal Welfare Act.