Owner speaks out over dog trainer's brutality (From News Shopper)

Owner speaks out over dog trainer's brutality

10:19am Wednesday 25th September 2002 in

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Dog owner Odette Hamilton told the News Shopper of her happiness after trainer Stephen Barry King was convicted of cruelty and cruelly terrifying her bull terrier.

"MY DOG looked and smelt like death by the time he'd finished with him."

Odette Hamilton couldn't be happier Stephen Barry King has been found guilty but says nothing can make up for what he put her dog through.

She said: "No-one could believe the nightmare he put my dog Gunner through, I'm just thankful he didn't kill him."

Miss Hamilton says that when she and her daughter, Wendy, 20, went to see her dog at King's house he was hanging Gunner by the neck from his lead, swinging and then slamming him into the floor.

"My oldest daughter came with me, she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"My dog nearly lost his life. He was bleeding from everywhere and had been knocked unconscious.

"Stephen Barry King acts more like an animal than any dog. He put Gunner through hell."

The 43-year-old mum-of-three says she still feels sick when she remembers handing Gunner over to King for training.

"When I think back now I still find it disgusting. I can't believe I paid him £500 and he treated him like that.

"One time I got him back and his face was covered with bleeding scabs so I telephoned the Kings straight away to complain.

"They said he had tripped and fallen down some stairs', but I could tell they were lying. There's no way these injuries could have been caused like that."

Miss Hamilton, of Messent Road, Eltham, added: "A week later his wife telephoned me to ask when I was going to book another lesson, but I told her there was no way I would let him anywhere near my dog again."

Miss Hamilton says she knows Stephen Barry King is still advertising for work on the internet and she wants as many people as possible to know what he has done, so they will not be tempted to hand over their dog.

Speaking about the guilty verdict, Miss Hamilton said: "I'm pleased he's finally getting what he deserves but mainly I'm glad Gunner has recovered and will never have to go through an ordeal like this again.

"The RSPCA have been really supportive and I want to thank them for everything they have done it's important he is never allowed to do anything like this ever again."

We have been asked to point out that this court case in no way relates to Romford-based dog trainer Stephen G King or in any way to Crosskeys Pet Care or Crosskeys Select Books.