A man who threw a wooden stick so hard at his dog that it snapped, has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Tyreicke Williams was caught on camera attacking bull terrier Nova in his garden in Kings Langley in September last year.

Nova was curled up by a fence when a half-naked Williams is seen launching a piece of wood.

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RSPCA inspector Stephen Reeves said sound from a video captured by a neighbour indicated Nova was hit multiple times.

He said: “The video started out of shot of the incident, but you could hear something being hit twice, the video then pans to a male.

“The male hit the dog so hard with the wooden pole that the wooden pole broke on what appeared to be the third strike and he then threw the other part of the wooden pole at the dog.”

Watford Observer: A screenshot just before Williams throws the wood at Nova. Credit: RSPCAA screenshot just before Williams throws the wood at Nova. Credit: RSPCA

The video of the attack on September 9 in Home Park Mill Link Road was sent to the RSPCA in October, with the dog subsequently seized from Williams by police.

Nova remains in the care of the RSPCA and is said to be doing “really well”, but the animal welfare charity said a vet wrote in a report it was their opinion Nova "experienced significant fear and pain".

The vet added: “Nova’s body language is submissive. He has positioned himself to make himself as small as possible, his tail is tucked between his legs and his head carriage is low with flattened ears. These are classic signs of fear in dogs."

At St Albans Magistrates Court on July 25, Williams, 27, was given an 18-week suspended prison sentence after changing his plea and admitting to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by the infliction of blunt force trauma and physical violence.

He was told to pay costs totalling £4,762, ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, and disqualified from keeping all dogs for five years.

The court also removed Nova’s ownership from Williams.

Watford Observer: Nova is being cared for the RSPCA and on the lookout for a new home after his ownership was taken away from Williams. Credit: RSPCANova is being cared for the RSPCA and on the lookout for a new home after his ownership was taken away from Williams. Credit: RSPCA

After the sentencing, inspector Reeves said: “I am so pleased that we were able to help Nova and that he can now live the rest of his life without fear and we are grateful to everyone involved with this case.

“This incident highlights it is never acceptable to physically abuse your dog.”

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