Greater Manchester Police officer sacked after video shows him punching a puppy

A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) firearms officer has been sacked after being sentenced for animal cruelty after punching a puppy.

Sergeant Martin Dunn, who worked in GMP's Specialist Operations Branch, has been dismissed without notice after being sentenced for animal cruelty offences in April 2021. Video emerged the previous month showing Dunn punching a five-month-old Spring Spaniel called Frank several times in his garden after it pooed on his lounge carpet.

Dunn pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 120 hours of unpaid work and banned from keeping animals for five years by a District Judge at Leeds Magistrates Court on April 23 2021. GMP have announced today that he admitted gross misconduct at an independent disciplinary panel at GMP Force Headquarters yesterday (May 2), and was dismissed without notice.

READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community

Dunn, of Kirklees, West Yorkshire, had been on restricted duties since the incident was reported and investigated by West Yorkshire Police. The court heard in 2021 that Dunn had been involved in the events at Manchester Arena in May 2017 and has been suffering from PTSD 'without realising'.

Chief Superintendent Michael Allen, Head of GMP's Professional Standards Branch, said: "Greater Manchester Police expects the highest standards of conduct from its officers, both on and off duty, and Dunn's actions clearly fell far short of these standards. The vast majority of police officers and staff fulfil their duties in serving the public to the highest standard and demonstrate exemplary behaviour in their private lives.

"Public trust and confidence in the police is vital and GMP does not underestimate the importance of officers and staff demonstrating