Christine Quirk, 24, sentenced in Tamworth court on animal cruelty charge after incidents involving dog

Christine Quirk, 24, was sentenced to good behaviour in Tamworth Local Court this week, after pleading guilty to the single charge of committing an act of animal cruelty.

Police alleged footage taken by a neighbour in August captured Quirk striking a dog called Diesel with an implement several times.

Another video allegedly showed her appearing to force a hose into the labrador's face and mouth in what police described as a crude attempt to force water down its throat, causing distress and discomfort.

Police prosecutor Sergeant John Brissett told the court the sentence handed to Quirk should deter people from being cruel to animals.

"The community sees this as quite a serious offence," he said.

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Defence solicitor Patricia Simpson told the court Quirk was remorseful and hadn't been educated on how to properly "chastise" a dog.

She submitted the seriousness was on the lower end and said Quirk had no criminal record and lived with health conditions.

Magistrate Julie Soars convicted Quirk, ordered her to be of good behaviour for 12 months and disqualified her from being in charge of an animal for five years.

She told the court people are watching and there was a need to "send the message" that humans should be careful with what they do to dogs.

"I find people are concerned about animals in Tamworth and not so much about domestic violence," she said.

"Perhaps that's because humans can speak, humans can report what happens to them."

The police case was that officers went to a home in South Tamworth after the witness reported the incidents.

Police facts show officers believed the two dogs were in imminent danger and they were both seized.

The dogs were later returned to Quirk but were surrendered after her sentencing.

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