A man has been given a suspended prison sentence after hitting, throwing and choking two dogs.

Thomas Hardy was caught on CCTV inflicting a range of abuse on two cockapoos.

One of the dogs, a female tan cockapoo, was hit five times on the head by the fist of Hardy, who placed a stranglehold on the animal, compressed her chest between his legs and swung her around by the neck. 

Security footage from Prior Court in Billingham on July 18 last year also showed him violently throwing the dog into a lift before kicking her under the chin.

The Northern Echo: One of the Cockapoos

A second brown-coloured Cockapoo was yanked off his front feet on a lead during a separate incident at the tower block on July 28.

The distressing footage was passed to the RSPCA by the police and an investigation by the animal welfare charity followed.

Hardy, who had admitted two charges of unnecessary suffering by inflicting blunt force trauma, physical violence and intimidatory behaviour, was given a 12 week prison sentence for each offence - suspended for 24 months - when he was sentenced at Teesside Magistrates Court on April 30.

He was also banned from keeping animals for 12 years. 

The Northern Echo: Thomas Hardy was given a suspended prison sentence for attacking two dogs

Magistrates heard how police, accompanied by an RSPCA inspector, visited the flat on August 2 last year and entry was forced due to concerns after there was no reply.

In written evidence to the court, the RSPCA inspector said: "Inside the property was a light brown cockapoo type dog, she was very nervous and cowering down.

"The flat the dog was living in was very unkempt and smelt of excrement and had faeces littered around.

"The dog was seized by the police and placed into the care of the RSPCA and I put her in my vehicle."

The brown cockapoo, who didn’t belong to Hardy, was not seen at the flat and the animal’s whereabouts is unknown.

In written evidence to the court the vet who examined the female dog and viewed the CCTV footage, said: "The individual in the videos is clearly seen to hit, choke, kick and throw the tan cockapoo.

"There is no reason to treat any animal in this way. The dog will have suffered physical pain and in addition showed clear signs of emotional distress."

Speaking after the conclusion of the case, RSPCA Chief Inspector Mark Gent said: "The video footage of these dogs being abused by Hardy multiple times was very difficult to watch.

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"It’s hard to understand how someone can treat animals with such contempt and cruelty, and we will never know, as the defendant refused to be interviewed about it. 

"We’d sincerely like to thank the police and the security staff for their assistance in this case which has been upsetting for everyone involved."

The female cockapoo was looked after at a private boarding facility on behalf of the RSPCA and has since been happily rehomed.