A man recently found guilty of kicking a boxer puppy in the head has been ordered to pay €1,300 by the Courts.

According to the veterinary certificate, the 4-month old puppy was hit, and suffered from shock and slight concussion.

The court heard two conflicting versions of the incident.

Aaron Garcia Fernandes, Parte Civile in the case and the dog’s owner, said he was walking his boxer in the evening on September 21, 2013, in the middle of the road “as it is not a very busy road”. He said that Gordon Frendo (the accused) exited his home and began walking on the pavement, however then stepped onto the road and began walking towards him.

Mr Fernandes testified that while passing by, Mr Frendo kicked the dog in the head. He said that the accused’s demeanour indicated that he was coming to pet the puppy.

The Court heard that Mr Fernandes tried to ask the accused why he took such an action, however no reason was given. Mr Fernandes said that prior to the incident, the dog wasn’t doing anything except “sniffing the floor”, and said that the dog was on a leash.

Mr Frendo in turn, Inspector Trevor Micallef said, argued that a dog without a leash began chasing him and crashed into him, and tried to jump on him. At this point, he said he heard someone insulting him. The inspector testified that Mr Frendo said he was afraid of dogs, and that the dog surprised him by running towards him. He denied kicking the dog.

Being questioned by the Court, Mr Frendo said – “the dog came for me… I kept on walking as he hit my leg… He came to jump on me… my instinct was to continue walking and he literally surprised me”. He said that the injuries sustained by the dog were due to the dog hitting his leg.

The Court was also told that in a separate case that happened soon after the incident, Mr Fernandes and a certain Christopher Scifo Diamantino were found guilty of aggression against Mr Frendo. They had gone to confront him soon after the dog was kicked.

The Court found it impossible that a puppy suffers a slight concussion and shock by hitting a person, and found the Parte Civile’s version of events to be the credible one.

Lawyer Quentin Tanti represented the Parte Civile, Inspector Trevor Micallef appeared for the prosecution and Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech presided.