In November of last year, a disturbing incident occurred in Bradford when Reece Cockroft, armed with a machete, launched a violent attack on a defenseless dog. The 19-year-old was reported to have waved the machete aggressively before striking the animal multiple times after it began to bark.

During a court hearing at Bradford Crown Court on January 29, prosecutor Laura McBride described how Cockroft slashed the dog approximately five times, resulting in severe injuries including cuts to its nose, head, and face. The dog also sustained a fracture, presumably to its head.

The dog's owner, who cannot be named for legal reasons, provided a victim impact statement outlining the emotional and physical trauma inflicted on her pet. She reported that since the incident, the dog has become more anxious, cowering and barking at people, despite simply trying to protect her during the attack.

Now 20 years old, Cockroft pleaded guilty to charges related to the injury of the dog, as well as other offenses involving a female complainant. The court revealed that Cockroft had a history of violent crime and arson.

Judge Colin Burn sentenced Cockroft to 18 months in a young offenders institution, emphasizing the severity of the attack on the dog. He stated, "Not just the fracture but many cuts to a pretty small and essentially defenceless animal," highlighting the significant harm caused by Cockroft's actions.