An Edinburgh man has been sentenced to eight months in prison after severely abusing his American Bulldog, Angel – a case the Scottish SPCA says exemplifies why a National Animal Offenders Register is urgently needed.
Daniel Springer was jailed after admitting to the brutal abuse of his dog, Angel. He was sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court 22 April after pleading guilty to breaching animal welfare legislation.
The case came to light on 18 January 2024, when a member of the public contacted the Scottish SPCA’s Animal Helpline after witnessing Springer drag Angle by the neck across the pavement, repeatedly hitting and screaming abuse at her as she showed an intensely fearful behaviour, shaking and cowering. The caller then saw Angel squeal as Spinger slapped and kicked her going into the building.
A Scottish SPCA Inspector attended the property and later reviewed CCTV footage showing Springer repeatedly kicking and verbally abusing Angel. He’s then seen in the lift yanking her off the ground by her paw and stamping on her.
Springer acted cruelly and unjustifiably in an unprovoked manner
The Inspector said: “Angel can be seen attempting to give her paw to Daniel Springer, showing loyalty and affection. In return, he grabs her leg, uses it to lift her up off the ground and stamps on her. There is no dispute that Springer acted cruelly, and unjustifiably in an unprovoked manner. He tormented Angel, abused her, and caused her unnecessary suffering both in a physical and mental capacity. She was visibly fearful; I have no doubt this has been a repeat occurrence.”
Given the extreme violence captured in the video, the Inspector immediately removed Angel from the property. Springer reacted aggressively, making it impossible to conduct an interview at the scene.
Despite numerous attempts to contact Springer, no further engagement was made, and Angel was later signed over into the care of the Scottish SPCA, where she received the care and affection she deserved.
The Inspector added: “We are pleased with the Sheriff’s decision. Springer failed Angel on the most basic welfare requirements – to be free from pain, fear, and distress. It is clear animals are not safe in his care.
“Thank you to Police Scotland for their invaluable support in this case. Their assistance has been essential in ensuring this incident was handled with the utmost care and efficiency.”
A pattern of serious violence
Springer’s animal cruelty was not an isolated incident. Just two months after abusing Angel, he carried out a violent assault on a man, resulting in a separate seven-year custodial sentence in March. Prior to these offences, Springer had already served a 12-year prison term for manslaughter in England.
This escalating pattern of violence – from animal cruelty to serious assault – underscores a well-documented link between harm to animals and harm to people.
The case for a National Animal Offenders Register
In 1998, the Scottish SPCA introduced its pioneering First Strike campaign to highlight the link between domestic violence and animal abuse. Recognition of this link has continued to grow over the years but there is so much more work that needs done to prevent people like Springer causing significant harm to both animals and people. Those early warning signs need to be picked up and acted on quicker.
Cases like Springer’s highlight the urgent need for a National Animal Offenders register to be built into existing intelligence systems. Such a register would enable authorities to monitor individuals convicted of animal cruelty – particularly those banned from owning animals – and flag criminals like Springer before they cause further harm to other animals or humans.
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