A “merciless” Prestwick sex offender, Daniel Murphy, who violently assaulted a small puppy with fists, kicks, and weapons at least 70 times over a three-hour video has been incarcerated after a sheriff expressed outrage at the brutality.
Daniel Murphy, 43, received a nine-month term and a lifetime prohibition on animal ownership after his offences were recorded by a “pet cam” he installed at home to monitor his pet Staffie, Buster, while his absence.
The footage recorded Murphy striking the 11-month-old puppy’s head and torso with a household iron at his residence in Prestwick, Ayrshire.
Sadistic sex offender Daniel Murphy, previously incarcerated for another assault on a defenceless dog, tormented the terrified pup by alternating between affection and abrupt outbursts of violence.
He issued commands to the animal and administered punishment to Buster, even when he complied with the instructions.
In a three-hour film, he struck Buster 70 times with an iron and a bottle, mercilessly dousing the terrified dog with fluids.
The puppy was left with a fractured bone, a significantly swollen face, and lacerations, prompting a distressed veterinarian to promptly contact the SSPCA, which initiated legal action against Murphy.
The video evidence was considered excessively harsh and distressing for public viewing, necessitating the sheriff to observe it privately.
Sheriff Meehan told Murphy: “The narrative heard by the court includes video footage, which I watched, of Buster lying in his bed being struck on the head with a household iron.
“And then he was stuck on the body of the household electric iron, with 70 blows over a period of three hours.
“In short, what was shown in the footage was merciless behaviour to a vulnerable animal.”
At an earlier hearing, where Murphy pleaded guilty to the mindless abuse, procurator fiscal Carrie Paxton said SSPCA officers had heard a dog squealing and were concerned the dog was being abused.
Daniel Murphy didn’t let inspectors in but later took Buster to a vet, where he told them he’s ‘accidentally kicked the dog in the head and then the dog had walked into a parked car’.
The fiscal added: “She found the dog named Buster to be subdued with significant swelling on his head and face and his right eye was closed over.
“Buster was re-examined on Saturday, November 2. Trauma to the head was concluded to be the most likely cause of his swelling and further pain relief was proscribed and another follow up advised for the next day.”
The court heard the SSPCA was later sent videos taken inside Daniel Murphy’s home by an anonymous source.
The fiscal depute added: “The witness found the footage very distressing to watch felt physically sick and was reduced to tears.
“The footage shows the accused physically and mentally abusing his dog Buster, subjecting the dog to hours of torment, including physically beating the dog all over his body with his hands and various items including a gold bottle and an iron.
“He also picks the dog up by his legs and tail and numerous occasions and throws and drags the dog about the room.
“The dog is visibly terrified through the ordeal, displaying behaviours of distress and fear.
“At no point in the videos is Buster seen to defend himself or retaliate in any way to the abuse. His body positioning is often cowering and close to the ground.
“His head during the beatings is low with his ears pinned back and he frequently rolls to his side. He seemed panting and trembling when laying on his side.
The fiscal adds: “In her experience as a vet and animal welfare scientist, the level of abuse Buster is seen to endure for almost three hours in these videos is some of the worst she has encountered. Buster’s response to the abuse is one of resignation and appeasement.
“The bruising and swelling which develops following such beatings can take weeks to heal and bone fractures will take months. The negative mental impact of the abuse is no less severe and may take significantly longer to reverse.
Jailing Daniel Murphy for nine months, Sheriff Meehan said: ”The reason I’m imposed the maximum is to punish you, to express disapproval, and also for the purpose of protecting animals like Buster from harm.
Buster endured hours of torment at the hands of someone who should have cared for him. The physical injuries were severe, including head trauma, swelling, and a historical leg fracture, but the emotional trauma was just as profound.
After receiving emergency veterinary care, Buster was taken into the care of the Scottish SPCA. He has since been adopted and is now thriving.
Inspector Rea added: “Buster is now living a wonderful life hillwalking and travelling the country in a camper van. He finally has the peaceful and loving life he deserves.”
“Given the previous conviction that you have in relation to an animal and given your previous convictions for inflicting injury with weapons to persons, and given the circumstances of this deeply disturbing, sustained campaign, I believe you should be disqualified for keeping animals for a period of life.”
The sheriff said the ban would be “wide ranging”, meaning he could have no contact with any animal – and will not be able to appeal that decision for a period of ten years.
Daniel Murphy had a previous conviction for attacking another dog on a street, amongst many other deviant behaviour offences, for which he was given three months in jail in 2018.
It is alleged that Daniel Murphy’s family and friends have stood by him and accepted him as a sex offender and animal abuser. However, we would strongly advise that Daniel Murphy is not left alone with animals or children, regardless of any platitudes from them.
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