Thug who kicked and punched his Staffordshire bull terrier in shocking attack caught on CCTV is SPARED prison Christopher Davies will never be allowed to own dogs again First person to be charged by council under animal welfare act This attack was brutal in a public place where children were present A thug who used his pet as a punch bag has escaped prison, but will never be allowed to own dogs again. Christopher Davies, 35, was given a 12-week suspended jail sentence, barred from ever keeping animals and ordered to pay £1,000 in legal costs. In the attack on April 7 he was caught on CCTV repeatedly punching and kicking his pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Max Cruel: Christopher Davies is caught on CCTV as he prepares to kick his pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier Max in a park in Chelmsford, Essex Kicked: Davies lands his foot in the face of his defenceless pet which was removed from his home by animal welfare officers the next day The thug was also seen delivering upper cuts to the terrified animal with his mobile phone as he sat on a park bench in Chelmsford, Essex. Max was removed from the brute's home the next day in a bid to protect it from further unprovoked attacks. Davies was questioned by a welfare officer before becoming the first person in the city to be pursued by Chelmsford City Council through the Animal Welfare Act 2006. He failed to appear for his trial at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, but was still found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. Vile: Bully boy Davies bends down as he gets ready to attack the dog with the mobile phone in his hand Brute: Davies grabs his pet by the throat before clubbing it with his mobile phone Anne Brewer, chairman of the bench, told Davies: 'This attack was brutal, in a public place where children were present.' Kate Armstrong, defending, had told the court Davies knew it was not the way to treat a dog and that he had expressed remorse for his actions. Speaking after the sentencing on June 4, council public health and protection services manager Paul Brookes, said: 'The cameras captured the incident and it was quite clear the dog was being beaten for no apparent reason. The footage was shown to a vet who agreed that the animal would have suffered, and an officer from animal welfare also had the view that further action needed to be taken as it constituted an unprovoked attack. Ian Grundy, Chelmsford City Council's cabinet member for safer communities, added: 'This prosecution sends a clear message that abuse of animals will not be tolerated in Chelmsford.' Davies has been stripped of his ownership of Max which is now in kennels awaiting a new home.