AN ABUSIVE pet owner who was caught attacking his dog on CCTV has been banned from keeping animals for seven years.

Scott Birt, aged 21, of Poinsettia Way, Newent, Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences  following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

Birt was cycling through Gloucester with another man and his dog Hugo on Wednesday, February 1 when he was caught being abusive on camera.

Footage, which was shown in court, shows the dog trailing behind before Birt dismounts from his bike.

At this point, Hugo cowers down in fear, seemingly in expectation of physical assault.

Birt then kicks Hugo in the side of his head, causing the pooch to fall backwards and then went onto punch Hugo before holding him down to continue to assault him.

The abusive pet owner was sentenced for the assault at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, October 11.

Speaking after the conclusion of the case, RSPCA inspector Jack Alderson, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Birt inflicted appalling and totally unnecessary violence on Hugo. 

"There is never an excuse for treating an animal in this way.”

As well as being banned from keeping any animals for seven years, which Birt can not appeal to have lifted for four years, he was also ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work in connection to the animal welfare offences.

Hugo the dog went to a foster carer after being placed in the care of the RSPCA and will now be rehomed after being signed over in court.

Birt also pleaded guilty to a Bail Act offence when he was sentenced.