Stef Costello Spode@StefSpodeUK
🚨ROTTWEILER PUNCHED, CHOKED AND STARVED BY OWNER BEFORE HAVING TO BE PUT DOWN
A Hertfordshire man who punched his pet rottweiler in the ribs, dragged him by the neck and wrapped a chain lead around his throat has been banned from keeping animals for five years.
Malik Zoubiri, 31, of Ludwick Way in Welwyn Garden City, admitted two animal welfare offences following an RSPCA investigation sparked by video footage of the abuse.
Barkingside Magistrates’ Court heard the dog, named Dyson, was repeatedly subjected to violence inside the property, with footage showing the frightened rottweiler pinned to the ground and punched three times in the ribs with a closed fist as he tried to escape.
The court also heard Zoubiri later lifted Dyson by a rear leg and lead before dragging him by the collar with a chain wrapped twice around his neck.
A veterinary expert who reviewed the footage said Dyson showed clear signs of escalating fear throughout the incident.
“He has a hunched posture and is trying to move away from the man,” the vet told the court. “He is not willing to follow him inside the building.”
The expert concluded the footage showed “physical and psychological suffering” being deliberately inflicted.
RSPCA officers accompanied by police attended the address on 11 April 2025 and removed Dyson into police care.
The court also heard further allegations of abuse, including claims the dog had been kicked and beaten, struck with thrown 20kg weights, submerged in water and lifted above Zoubiri’s head before being “smashed” onto furniture.
Jurors were also told Dyson had allegedly been denied food and prevented from going outside to toilet for days at a time.
Zoubiri was handed a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days. He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs, fined £180 and made to pay a £114 victim surcharge.
In mitigation, the court heard he suffered from mental health problems and believed Dyson himself was mentally unwell.
Following the case, RSPCA Inspector Shahnaz Ahmad said animals “always deserve to be shown kindness and compassion” and said the prosecution should act as a warning that such behaviour would not be tolerated.
Dyson was later euthanised due to severe behavioural issues and was deemed unsafe to rehome — an outcome animal welfare campaigners frequently warn can follow prolonged trauma, violence and fear-based handling.