Moment cruel dog owners attack their pet Golden Labrador and Jack Russell Terrier with a broom in campaign of abuse in squalid backyard as pair are banned from keeping animals for 12 years

A couple has been banned from keeping pets after shocking footage showed them hitting 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.

Neighbours first became concerned about the animals as they were forced to sleep outside in all weathers, including snow and ice.

Bradford Magistrates Court heard footage from Boxing Day 2022 was captured, which showed Butters kicking Honey, who yelped and walked away limping.

In February last year, the couple attacked Honey with a wheelie bin twice, which meant the dogs were unable to access the kennel.

Six-year-old Jack Russell Terrier Lilu was made to sleep outside in freezing weather, was hit with a brush and was picked up by her neck

Bradford Magistrates Court heard footage from Boxing Day 2022 was captured, which showed Butters kicking Honey, who yelped and walked away limping

A month later, they were seen attempting to run away from Viksnina, who attacked Honey and picked up Lilu with one hand by her neck.

Another shocking clip showed an unknown object being hurled into the yard, which hit Honey on the back.

Butters was also seen swinging at the dogs with a long-handed sweeping brush, before one of them cried out for help.

The videos showed both dogs displaying body language consistent with fear, making attempts 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 who were concerned about the dogs’ welfare contacted the charity.

In her evidence to the court, Inspector Hogby said Honey and Lilu were ‘both very nervous’, especially around a male police officer.

She said: ‘I said [to Viksnina] that we had been sent a number of videos of the dogs being beaten which had been assessed by a vet who had then advised that both dogs were suffering and therefore they would need to be removed from the address.

‘I observed the dogs in the yard. Both of them were very nervous, particularly around the male police officer who was in attendance.’

In his written statement to the court, the vet who viewed the footage said: ‘A number of videos indicate that both dogs were handled inappropriately on a number of occasions and were subjected to physical abuse.

Butters was seen swinging at the dogs with a long-handed sweeping brush, before one of them cried out for help

Martin Butters, 61, and Kristine Viksnina, 42, subjected their pets to a sickening campaign of abuse

The couple have now been banned from keeping pets for 12 years, as well being handed a suspended sentence, 100 hours of unpaid work and told to pay costs of £243 and a victim surcharge of £157

 ‘Martin Butters and Kristine Viksnina indicated that their behaviour towards the dogs, Honey in particular, was as a consequence of unwanted behavioural traits such as eating faeces and chewing up bedding.

‘I have not had sight of any documents that indicate veterinary or professional dog behaviour/training advice was sought by them in an attempt to appropriately address those behavioural issues

‘The majority of the physical abuse appears to have been directed towards Honey.

‘However this appears to have often taken place in the presence of Lilu who also showed body language consistent with experiencing fear at those times.

‘In my opinion they have been caused to suffer on a number of occasions as a consequence of inappropriate handling by the person(s) responsible for their welfare.

‘Suffering will have been experienced by these two dogs via mechanisms of fear and distress in addition to physical pain on occasion that they were subjected to physical abuse for variable periods of time.’

In mitigation, Viksnina blamed her behaviour on Butters and said she had owned dogs for over eight years without any problems.

Butters, who represented himself in court, apologised for his actions but said he couldn’t understand what he had done wrong.

They both pleaded guilty to two offences contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at earlier hearings and were disqualified from keeping animals for 12 years.

The pair, of Bradford, West Yorkshire, were given a suspended sentence, 100 hours of unpaid work and told to pay costs of £243 and a victim surcharge of £157.

Lilu and Honey were cared for the RSPCA’s Doncaster, Rotherham and district branch and have both found new homes.

Speaking after the case, Inspector Hogby said: ‘We’re grateful to those who reported their concerns for Honey and Lilu to us.

‘Both dogs were subjected to unacceptable physical and emotional abuse and we’re pleased to have been able to help ensure they now have much brighter futures ahead of them.’