May 2023

Officer who punched puppy in video is sacked

A police officer who repeatedly punched a puppy with brutal force when the little dog defecated in his house has been sacked.

After the attack, the puppy could be heard crying in pain and unable to get to its feet

Video emerged of Sgt Martin Dunn, who worked in Greater Manchester Police’s specialist operations branch, attacking the five-month-old springer spaniel in March 2021.

Harrowing footage of the attack was played to Leeds Magistrates’ Court in April 2021 and Dunn was heard to shout: “You little b***ard!”

The footage was also shared online and reported to the force.

A vet told the court in a report that when he shouted at Frank, the puppy reacted in “extreme fear.”

Dunn admitted gross misconduct at an independent disciplinary hearing on Tuesday and was dismissed without notice.

Dunn, of Albion Gardens, Meltham, had pleaded guilty to an offence of animal cruelty at an earlier hearing and went on to receive a sentence that included a community order requiring 120 hours of unpaid work and a ban from keeping animals for five years.

He has now been sacked by Greater Manchester Police.