Ten year ban for Sussex man who mistreated his dog
A dog owner from Hastings, who was filmed striking and kicking his dog, has been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years, following a prosecution by the RSPCA.
Andrew Masters 60, of Roundwood Road, St Leonards, appeared at Hastings Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on April 2 2026 and pleaded guilty to one animal welfare offence, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA, said a spokesperson.
The charge against Masters was made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and alleged ‘that between the 31st August 2024 and the 13th November 2025 in the vicinity of Roundwood Road, Hastings, he failed to take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure the needs of an animal for which he was responsible, by one or a combination of the following: failing to provide a suitable and safe environment due to the use of verbal and/or physical abuse and/or the use of intimidatory behaviour; failing to provide appropriate training; using inappropriate disciplinary, handling or control measures and failing to protect the animal from pain, suffering, injury or disease due to the use of verbal and/or physical abuse and/or the use of intimidatory behaviour.’
The animal welfare charity says it visited Masters’ home on a number of occasions, after concerns were raised by members of the public, who reported that he had been verbally and physically abusive towards his dog Rocco, a three-year-old bull-breed cross.
RSPCA Inspector Georgina Bowles said video footage recorded by members of the public showed the Andrew Masters displaying aggressive behaviours towards Rocco, including attempting to strike him, intimidating and shouting at him, ‘using the lead to lift Rocco onto his hind legs and hitting him on the nose’, and a ‘forceful kick to Rocco’s face, seemingly unprovoked’.
Masters described the physical acts as ‘a tap on the nose’ and ‘an accidental leg movement’, said the RSPCA.
A vet, who also viewed the footage, told the court: “Masters has received a lot of advice through the police and RSPCA but still shows aggressive verbal and physical behaviour towards the dog. This aggression has continued.
“The behaviour shown towards Rocco by Masters is extreme aversive behaviour and would not be advocated by any reasonable person.
“In the videos provided to me there are signs that the dog is frightened as shown by him cowering and putting his ears back.”
On November 12 2025, the RSPCA, led by Inspector Andrew Kirby, alongside Hastings Police, attended Masters’ premises, where they took Rocco into RSPCA care.
Alongside the ten year ban from owning dogs, which he cannot appeal for five years, Masters was also handed an 18-month conditional discharge. He was also ordered to pay £500 costs and a £26 victim surcharge, said the RSPCA..
Included in mitigation was that Masters said he had adopted the dog from a rescue centre, and had received differing advice on Rocco’s care, and mentioned that Rocco’s behaviour had been fine during the first six months of ownership. Health concerns, which affected his mobility and fitness, were also cited, and that he felt overwhelmed by unsuccessful attempts to muzzle and put a harness on Rocco, said the RSPCA.
Andrew Kirby, RSPCA Inspector, said: “Dogs feel pain and suffering, just like we do, and always deserve to be shown kindness and compassion.
“Rocco was sadly denied this essential care, resulting in his suffering and posing a danger to those around him.”