Dog walker caught smacking pet on owner’s hidden camera

This is the shocking moment a dog walker attacks a three-year-old boxer in its owner’s own home.

Jacqueline Wilkins, 46, is filmed striking Bella the dog twice behind the neck with her right hand when the animal fails to sit still.

The bad-tempered walker can also be heard repeatedly shouting at the dog unaware CCTV cameras are filming her outburst.

Wilkins shouts ‘You’re not doing as you’re told, are you?’ and ‘Do you want another smack?’ when the dog would not stay still.

Bella’s owners Gary Hirtsch, 39, and Louise Williams, 32, checked the footage after noticing a change in Bella’s behaviour last February and reported the incident to the RSPCA.

The couple installed cameras to monitor Bella and their other dog, Coco, a two-year-old sprocker spaniel.

Wilkins, who is also a dog owner, has now been banned from keeping or caring for a pet for two years.

Speaking after the court case, Mr Hirtsch said he is disgusted that someone who works with dogs could do something like this.

Jacqueline Wilkins captured on CCTV striking and dragging Bella the Boxer. This shocking footage shows a professional dog walker, now banned from caring for dogs for two years, attacking a boxer dog while on duty. See SWNS story SWLEdogs. Jacqueline Wilkins, 46, can be seen striking pup Bella twice and shouting repeatedly at her through CCTV installed in their property. Wilkins can be heard shouting 'You?re not doing as you?re told, are you?' and 'Do you want another smack?' when the pup would not stay still long enough for her harness to be removed after a walk. Owners Gary Hirtsch, 39, and Louise Williams, 32, discovered the footage recorded in their home after noticing a change in Bella's behaviour last February and reported the accident to the RSPCA. The couple had installed cameras to monitor their dogs when they were not in the house.
Jacqueline Wilkins is filmed striking the dog (Picture: SWNS)
Bella the boxer. This shocking footage shows a professional dog walker, now banned from caring for dogs for two years, attacking a boxer dog while on duty. See SWNS story SWLEdogs. Jacqueline Wilkins, 46, can be seen striking pup Bella twice and shouting repeatedly at her through CCTV installed in their property. Wilkins can be heard shouting 'You?re not doing as you?re told, are you?' and 'Do you want another smack?' when the pup would not stay still long enough for her harness to be removed after a walk. Owners Gary Hirtsch, 39, and Louise Williams, 32, discovered the footage recorded in their home after noticing a change in Bella's behaviour last February and reported the accident to the RSPCA. The couple had installed cameras to monitor their dogs when they were not in the house.
Bella the boxer’s behaviour changed after the incident (Picture: SWNS)

‘I was shocked when I first saw the footage because it’s not something I’d have thought I had to worry about from someone who is supposed to love dogs,’ he said.

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‘It’s just disgusting what she did and I’m glad we have got justice for Bella – she did not deserve to be treated like that.

‘We have not received an apology from her but we are happy we were able to get justice for Bella.’

Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard the couple had hired Wilkins when Miss Williams broke her wrist and was unable to walk the dogs.

Prosecutor Andrew Davidson said: ‘What you can see there is what the defendant now accepts was unnecessarily rough treatment.

Gary Hirtsch with Bella the boxer. This shocking footage shows a professional dog walker, now banned from caring for dogs for two years, attacking a boxer dog while on duty. See SWNS story SWLEdogs. Jacqueline Wilkins, 46, can be seen striking pup Bella twice and shouting repeatedly at her through CCTV installed in their property. Wilkins can be heard shouting 'You?re not doing as you?re told, are you?' and 'Do you want another smack?' when the pup would not stay still long enough for her harness to be removed after a walk. Owners Gary Hirtsch, 39, and Louise Williams, 32, discovered the footage recorded in their home after noticing a change in Bella's behaviour last February and reported the accident to the RSPCA. The couple had installed cameras to monitor their dogs when they were not in the house.
Gary Hirtsch with Bella the boxer (Picture: SWNS)

‘The prosecution say there’s very rarely any reason for using that type of behaviour to discipline a dog.’

Wilkins from Pudsey, West Yorkshire, admitted failing to meet the needs of a dog by protecting it from injury or distress.

She had initially pleaded not guilty but changed her plea following expert evidence about the psychological damage Bella may have suffered.

The court was told Wilkins had experienced a ‘moment of madness’ and felt she was disciplining Bella at the time, but now recognised her behaviour was wrong.

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A probation officer also reported that Wilkins had reflected on the harm she may have caused Bella and was ‘completely remorseful’ about her actions.

Louise Williams with Bella the boxer. This shocking footage shows a professional dog walker, now banned from caring for dogs for two years, attacking a boxer dog while on duty. See SWNS story SWLEdogs. Jacqueline Wilkins, 46, can be seen striking pup Bella twice and shouting repeatedly at her through CCTV installed in their property. Wilkins can be heard shouting 'You?re not doing as you?re told, are you?' and 'Do you want another smack?' when the pup would not stay still long enough for her harness to be removed after a walk. Owners Gary Hirtsch, 39, and Louise Williams, 32, discovered the footage recorded in their home after noticing a change in Bella's behaviour last February and reported the accident to the RSPCA. The couple had installed cameras to monitor their dogs when they were not in the house.
Louise Williams alerted the RSPCA after seeing the footage of Bella getting beaten (Picture: SWNS)

She was of previous good character and had told her clients about the case, prompting a number to write references and two of them to attend court in support the court also heard.

Magistrate Brian Wright, acting as chairman of the bench, said she must complete a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and an RSPCA education programme, and pay £300 in costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

He added: ‘We feel that we will have to give you a banning order for two years. For the next two years, you are not allowed to deal with any dogs.’

Gary added: ‘I feel relieved. We had put her in a position of trust. I think they’ve done the right thing for the safety of the other dogs.’