Professional dog walker banned from keeping animals after being caught on CCTV beating client's pet

A professional dog walker who was caught on camera beating a boxer dog in its owner’s home has been banned from keeping animals.

Jacqueline Wilkins, 46, is seen striking Bella the dog twice behind the neck with her right hand when the animal fails to sit still while having its harness removed.

The bad-tempered walker can also be heard repeatedly shouting at the dog unaware of CCTV cameras inside the sitting room of the owner’s property.

Wilkins can be heard shouting, ‘You’re not doing as you’re told, are you?’ and ‘Do you want another smack?’ when the pup would not stay still.

Bella’s owners Gary Hirtsch, 39, and Louise Williams, 32, checked the footage after noticing a change in their pet’s behaviour last February and reported the incident to the RSPCA.

The couple had installed cameras to monitor Bella and their other dog, Coco, a two-year-old sprocker spaniel.

Wilkins, who is also a dog owner, has now been banned from keeping or caring for a pet for two years after admitting to hitting the family dog at Leeds Magistrates Court.

Speaking after the court case, Mr Hirtsch, said he is disgusted someone who works with dogs could do something like this.

Mr Hirtsch said: “I was shocked when I first saw the footage because it’s not something I’d have thought I had to worry about from someone who is supposed to love dogs.

“It’s just disgusting what she did and I’m glad we have got justice for Bella – she did not deserve to be treated like that.

“We have not received an apology from her but we are happy we were able to get justice for Bella.”

Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard the couple had hired Wilkins when Miss Williams broke her wrist and was unable to walk the dogs.

Prosecutor Andrew Davidson said: “What you can see there is what the defendant now accepts was unnecessarily rough treatment.

“The prosecution say there’s very rarely any reason for using that type of behaviour to discipline a dog.”

Wilkins, of Pudsey, West Yorkshire, admitted failing to meet the needs of a dog by protecting it from injury or distress.

She had initially pleaded not guilty but changed her plea following expert evidence about the psychological damage Bella may have suffered.

The court heard Wilkins experienced a “moment of madness” and felt she was disciplining Bella at the time, but now recognised her behaviour was wrong.

A probation officer said Wilkins was “completely remorseful” about her actions and had told her clients about the case, prompting a number to write references and two of them to attend court in support the court also heard.

Magistrate Brian Wright, chairman of the bench, said she must complete a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and an RSPCA education programme, and pay £300 in costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

He added: “We feel that we will have to give you a banning order for two years. For the next two years, you are not allowed to deal with any dogs.”

Wilkins was visibly upset as she left the courtroom after being told that she would not be allowed to keep her own dog, Bentley, during the two-year ban.

Friend and client Janet Pearson said: “Obviously she’s not going to have an income now but the thing she’s most upset about is losing her dog. Her dog is like her baby, Dogs are her life.”