Man who kicked and dragged dog across car park sentenced

A man has received a suspended three-month jail term after being caught on CCTV kicking and dragging his dog across a car park.

Oran Mitchell, 26, from Rock Mills in Londonderry, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to his pit bull terrier-type dog at the city's Magistrates' Court on Friday.

He was sentenced to a further one month in jail for disorderly behaviour towards police when he was arrested, with both sentences suspended for two years.

Sentencing, District Judge Ted Magill told Mitchell he had committed an "appalling act" and had "failed the basic litmus test for humanity".

"No animal, no dog, should be kicked or dragged in the way you kicked and dragged this dog," the judge said.

The court was told that on 10 October 2025 Mitchell was recorded on CCTV cameras both inside and outside his accommodation and could be seen kicking and dragging his dog, both in a car park and inside his accommodation building.

A staff member alerted to police and when officers arrived Mitchell was aggressive towards them and to the staff member who had contacted them.

A prosecuting solicitor said that when Mitchell was shown footage of his behaviour, he confirmed it was him and told the police his actions were unacceptable.

The solicitor said the dog was not injured during the incident.

The judge said had Mitchell contested the charges and been convicted, he would have been sent straight to jail.

"There is never any excuse for this type of behaviour which you committed," he said.

Mitchell's mental and physical health, the judge said, had been taken into consideration, as had the fact that the dog did not requirement treatment from a vet.

Judge Magill said: "Both sentences will be suspended for two years but you have come to the end of the road."