ASSAULT – A suspected XL Bully breeder who gave a vet a ‘punishment beating’ at his surgery for failing to save the dog’s life has been jailed.
Arbaz Hamza Hamid, 24, punched Stephen Stead so hard he was left with a bloody nose and his glasses left an imprint in his skin.
He needed stitches in three cuts that were caused in the shocking attack at the vets surgery last January.
How it all started
York Crown Court was told Hamid and four others arrived at Stead’s surgery in two cars at around 4.15pm on January 16.
Hamid’s barrister Rachel Webster said the dog was ill and needed two-hourly injections and around the clock care from the five joint owners.
A man and woman, who were part of the group, had brought the dog to the vet at 10.30am on January 16.
They were told the pet needed surgery and the chances of her surviving were one in five, but they agreed to the operation anyway.
The dog died
Stephen then carried out the surgery and later that day rung the man and woman to tell them the dog had died.
The group of five, including Hamid, then arrived at the vets and confronted Stephen and one of the men punched the wall.
The assault
Victoria Barker, prosecuting, said Hamid suddenly lunged forward at the end of the incident and punched the vet in the face with a clenched fist.
He drove into Stephen’s glasses into his face so hard they left an imprint in the skin and he made three cuts that had to be stitched up.
After the vet was hit, all five people had left the practice.
Through Ms Webster, Hamid claimed the dog had cost £4,000 – £5,000 and was purchased from America.
Hamid, of Rotherham, South Yorks,. previously pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm and was jailed for seven months.
New law is in order
It will become illegal to own XL bully dogs from February 1, unless the animal is on the Index of Exempted Dogs list.
Owners who want to keep their dogs must register them by January 31 and microchip, neuter and keep their pet on a muzzle and on a lead in public.
