Convicted animal cruelty offender Daniel Brighton has received a record sentence for brutally stabbing, beating and hanging a dog.
The Sandy Point resident appeared in Campbelltown Local Court today where he was sentenced to 40 months' imprisonment with a non-parole period of 26 months, the longest custodial sentence imposed for an RSPCA NSW prosecution.
Mr Brighton, owner of mobile petting zoo Get Wild Experiences, was convicted of two offences of serious animal cruelty on Wednesday last week, for stabbing a dog with a pitchfork, hanging it from a tree and beating it with a mallet.
RSPCA NSW chief inspector Scott Meyers said the attack was a severe act of cruelty.
"The evidence shows the defendant ultimately killed a dog after inflicting severe pain and suffering to him over a long period of time," he said.
"It is shocking and inexcusable. This dog was someone's pet and he suffered a torturous death."
During a three-day hearing the court heard that on January 16, 2016, Mr Brighton fended off two domesticated Staffordshire bull terriers which were attacking his camel Alice at his Minto petting zoo property.
The court heard that Mr Brighton fended off the dogs with a metal pole, then captured one of the dogs, tied it to a tree and left the dog there while he sought pain relief for Alice.
Before leaving the property, he armed himself with a pitchfork and stabbed the dog at least six times from above his head and down into the dog's body.
He left the pitchfork protruding from the motionless dog and left the property to go to the vet.
Some time later, Mr Brighton returned from the vet and proceeded to drag the dog to another location.
He strung the dog to a tree branch and, whilst swinging a mallet like a baseball bat, hit the dog's skull up to eight times.
He then placed the dog into plastic bags, wrapped him in towels and instructed an employee to bury him in the bush.
RSPCA NSW executed a search warrant at the property in 2017 and the dog was exhumed.
An expert veterinarian forensic pathologist from Taronga Zoo determined that the stabbing and the beating was unlikely to have caused the death of the dog.
In her opinion, the forensic evidence showed a repeated and violent attack on the dog.
Inspector Meyers urged people to be humane in their dealings with animals.
"They deserve humane treatment and there is no excuse for the torture of an animal," she said.
"We would expect a higher level of respect towards animals from someone who owns and operates businesses under licence involving animals.
"Owners have obligations to ensure their pets are securely housed.
"We know further that the dog that escaped that night caused significant injuries to Alice the camel. That in no way excuses the actions of the defendant in this matter."
RSPCA NSW reminds people that unaccompanied dogs should be immediately reported to the local council or rangers who are trained to manage the situation.
Mr Brighton has filed for an appeal which is due to be heard initially in the Supreme Court on July 3, 2019.
His legal counsel has been contacted for comment.
