Toy poodle “kicked into air” during alleged attack on dog walker
<p>A man from Sydney has claimed he was repeatedly bashed and his dog was kicked into the air during an alleged attack as they walked through an inner-city suburb.</p>
<p>According to police, Seung Kang, 33, was strolling the streets of Pyrmont with his dog Zico last Friday night when a man approached them.</p>
<p>Ian Ryan, 34, allegedly spouted abusive language towards Kang before punching him and kicking the poodle as they tried walking away.</p>
<p>“Go to war! Go to war! Warfare,” a man can be heard saying in a video of the alleged attack.</p>
<p>“[He was] telling me to go back to my country,” Kang told<span> </span><em>10 News First</em>.</p>
<p>“He was basically wanting a fight … just, lots of swear words, and very aggressive.”</p>
<p>A spokesperson for NSW Police said a passer-by came to the rescue and helped Kang.</p>
<p>It’s alleged he was repeatedly punched in the head before more people came to his aid.</p>
<p>Ryan allegedly fled the scene.</p>
<p>Inspector Gary Coffey said the incident appeared to be unprovoked.</p>
<p>“We can only draw up the fact that he was in possession of alcohol at the time of the offence … and clearly there’s no obvious motive,” said Coffey of the accused.</p>
<p>He called the alleged attack “reprehensible”.</p>
<p>“There’s no excuse obviously for attacking an innocent man just out walking his dog,” said Coffey.</p>
<p>Ryan was arrested on Sunday after handing himself to police.</p>
<p>He appeared in court on Monday charged with five offences, including common assault, committing an act of animal cruelty and stalking or intimidating with intent to cause physical harm.</p>
<p>The court heard Ryan was defending himself from the dog which he claimed had barked near his legs.</p>
<p>Ryan was refused bail.</p>
