Lincoln woman sentenced for animal cruelty and pub assault

A woman has been jailed for abusing her dog and assaulting four people who tried to protect it at a city pub.

Ketija Bilinska, 57, of Cannon Street, Lincoln, appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on February 12, where she was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and assault by beating.

She was sentenced to 10 weeks for the assaults and eight weeks for animal cruelty.

The offences took place at the Dog and Bone pub on John Street on November 8, 2024, at around 8.30pm.

Witnesses reported that Bilinska was hitting her Chinese crested dog, prompting four people to intervene.

She then assaulted them before being arrested. None of the victims sustained serious injuries.

Bilinska had previously been given a 26-week suspended sentence for actual bodily harm in March 2024.

As this latest offence was committed within the suspension period, that sentence was activated and added to the 18-week sentence for the new offences, meaning she will now serve a total of 44 weeks in custody.

She has also been banned from owning, keeping or controlling an animal for life under Section 34 of the Animal Welfare Act.

The dog has been removed and will be rehomed. Bilinska was also ordered to pay £100 in compensation to her victims.

Lincolnshire Police dog legislation officer DC Gemma Oxby praised those who stepped in to protect the pet, saying: “This case is a demonstration of how members of our community will not tolerate cruelty to animals when they sought to intervene in an aggressive situation to protect this vulnerable dog from its owner.

“The court has made it clear that such disgusting behaviour will not be overlooked.”