Matthew Matanovic, 28, was sentenced to pay a fine and complete community service after viciously beating his dog Bentley in December 2023. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

animal abuse

Ladysmith man avoids jail for beating puppy ‘like a punching bag’

Aug 29, 2024 | 11:31 AM

Editor’s Note: This article contains details of animal abuse. Reader discretion is advised.

NANAIMO — A man was fined, handed community service duty and banned from caring for animals for a decade for violently attacking his 11-month-old dog.

Matthew Matanovic, 28, was sentenced on Thursday, Aug. 29 after pleading guilty to causing an animal to continue to be in distress in response to beating up his dog Bentley, a 23 kilogram black Labrador Retriever.

Court heard Matanovic brought Bentley to the Central Vancouver Island Veterinary Hospital in north Nanaimo the evening of Dec. 16, 2023, where he told staff the dog had urinated inside his Ladysmith home, causing him to “lose it.”

He confirmed he’d hurt the dog, stating to the staff at the hospital he “beat the dog by punching Bentley in the head and chest like a punching bag,” Crown prosecutor Brett Webber told court, citing a report by veterinary hospital staff.

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Bentley was severely injured as a result, with doctors at the hospital saying he had brain bleed and had difficulty breathing and walking.

Matanovic told doctors the dog was also having seizures.

He admitted to veterinary staff that he punched the dog at least five times and kicked the animal about four times.

Staff also noted Bentley was disorientated, didn’t have normal responses, was unable to correct himself in various positions and had a swollen forehead and snout area.

After treatment, the dog was surrendered to the Nanaimo and District BC SPCA branch and has since largely recovered from his injuries.

Webber noted there are still some residual neurological refects or deficiencies, however it was unclear whether those stemmed from the attack itself.

Bentley has since been placed into foster care, and Webber asked judge Brian Harvey to consider the dog’s injuries when delivering his sentence.

Webber requested either a $7,000 fine or three months in jail.

Defence attorney Dina Diab said Matanovic was remorseful for his actions and immediately took responsibility for them.

“A few weeks after the incident he finds himself seeking out counselling…that started in January,” Diab told court. “Mr. Matanovic is an individual who is not without issues in his past, he deserves an opportunity to address those issues especially given the recent momentum he’s garnered in his life.”

While referencing a pre sentence report, Diab said Matanovic is prone to “moments of impulsivity” and was subject to a troubled youth with an abusive father.

Matanovic has a past diagnosis of a mild cognitive disability, Diab told court.

“He had an outburst and it was a short transaction and it ended. In my submission t’s forgiveable and it doesn’t warrant jail,” Diab argued.

Since the incident, in addition to monthly counselling sessions, Matanovic obtained work as a customer service agent with BC Ferries.

Matanovic addressed court, saying he’s worked to better himself over the past several months.

He added he understands the gravity of his action and the consequences of them.

“I have no excuses for my actions as there is no excuse for animal abuse. No matter what I was going through, it was no excuse to take my anger out on my animal and I’ll continue to carry the guilt of my actions.”

Judge Harvey, in delivering his verdict called the attack reprehensible.

“This was a violent and senseless attack on a helpless puppy. The injuries sustained by Bentley were initially serious, including a brain injury,” judge Harvey said, who emphasized the position of trust Matanovic breached.

He credited the offender for immediately and consistently taking responsibility for his actions, entering an early guilty plea and cooperating fully with veterinary hospital and BC SPCA officials.

Matanovic’s lack of criminal record and current employment status were also factors in sentencing, according to the judge.

“We have a youthful first offender, who unfortunately for him decided to get a puppy to aid his mental health. It likely, tragically in my view and regrettably for Bentley, had the opposite effect. Bentley deserved better, the accused ought to have known better.”

Matanovic was fined $6,000, handed one year of probation and ordered to perform 80 hours of volunteer community work service

The sentence was made under the Prevention to Animal Cruelty Act, where maximum penalties for the offence is a $75,000 fine, two years in jail, or both.

Two other animal abuse charges were dropped.

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