South Australian dog fighter trainer given seven months jail for barbaric training methods

A man who used barbaric training techniques on his six dogs, including electric shock collars and steroids, has been charged in a landmark case against animal cruelty.

South Australian man Benn Hamilton, 39, received a seven-month jail term for training dogs for vicious blood sport events in  pursuit of financial gain. 

The Hillcrest resident was due to stand trial today at the Adelaide Magistrates Court for 16 charges relating to organised dog fighting but pleaded guilty to 12, Adelaide Now reported. 

South Australian man Benn Hamilton, 39, received a seven month jail term with a three month non-parole period for training his six dogs for vicious blood sport events

Hamilton celebrated his dogs and even had two chained terriers tattooed to his chest.

He would also brag about them over social media and the wins they had.

He is the first South Australian to be charged over secretive dog fighting events and authorities are heralding it as a landmark case.

The court heard that when RSPCA inspectors raided his house they found six dogs chained up with extensive injuries, including fractured teeth, that were consistent with fighting. 

All six of the dogs were American Staffordshire terriers and has been given names like ‘Bubblegum’ and ‘Django’. 

The dogs had suffered abuse during their training, and inspectors found electric shock collars, steroids and other drugs that made them more vicious at Hamilton’s property.

Hamilton pictured here with one of his terriers would frequently post about them over social media 

Hamilton pictured here with one of his terriers would frequently post about them over social media 

They also claimed that Hamilton had tied weights to the dogs and made them run on treadmills.

All six of the animals were put down after a veterinarian behaviourist declared that they were ‘beyond rehabilitation.’

When handing down the sentence Magistrate Kym Millard said that Hamilton had destroyed the dogs through cruel means.

‘The experts concluded that these animals’ chances of rehabilitation and recovery were effectively hopeless,’ he said.

The dogs were found chained up on Hamilton's property with injuries from fighting

The dogs were found chained up on Hamilton’s property with injuries from fighting

All six of the animals were American Staffordshire terriers and had been given names like 'Bubblegum' and 'Django'

All six of the animals were American Staffordshire terriers and had been given names like ‘Bubblegum’ and ‘Django’

‘Their life experiences, due to the behavioural modifications inflicted upon them by your training, set them up for failure.’

The RSPCA wants Hamilton to pay the $35,379 the organisation spent on investigating the case, housing the dogs and destroying them. 

Hamilton was given a seven-month jail sentence with a three month non-parole period.   



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