A Greater Manchester Police officer has been sacked after admitting an animal cruelty offence, following a video that showed him punching a puppy.
Police Sergeant Martin Dunn admitted gross misconduct at an independent disciplinary panel and has been dismissed without notice.
The sickening video shared by the Manchester Evening News shows him approaching the puppy, a five-month-old Springer Spaniel called Frank, in a garden after the young dog had defecated in the house.
After shouting ‘you b****rd’, Dunn is then seen to punch the puppy several times, while the dog yelps and cries.
The horrible incident in March 2021 was filmed by a neighbour and reported to the police.
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He had pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary harm to an animal contrary to the Animal Welfare Act at Leeds Magistrates’ Court in April 2021.
Martin Dunn has been sacked after a video emerged of him punching a puppy. Credit: Facebook
Dunn received a sentence that included a community order requiring 120 hours of unpaid work and a ban from keeping animals for five years.
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Since the incident was reported and investigated by West Yorkshire Police, he had been on restricted duties.
More than 20,000 people had signed a petition calling for Dunn to be sacked from the force.
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.
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“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 the highest standards of professional behaviour towards not only members of the public but also to animals.
“Having a criminal conviction for animal cruelty makes Dunn wholly unsuitable to continue serving as a police officer and his cruelty towards Frank the dog is ultimately why he has lost his job.
#DISMISSED | GMP officer dismissed for animal cruelty offence. Police Sergeant Martin Dunn admitted gross misconduct at an independent disciplinary panel at GMP Force Headquarters on 2 May 2023 and was dismissed without notice.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 3, 2023
“Dunn’s actions, which have rightly been condemned by the public and his colleagues, bring the profession into disrepute and damage the confidence the public has in police officers.
“I would like to thank West Yorkshire Police, who investigated this case criminally, and, working with the Crown Prosecution Service, secured the conviction at criminal court.
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“GMP’s Professional Standards Branch has a responsibility to hold policing to account, taking action where misconduct is identified, and under new management this work is now accelerating, focusing both on legacy cases and new reports.”
Martin Dunn’s defence said he ‘unreservedly accepted the allegations’ and that it was an isolated incident.
Paul Forster, the chairman of the independent panel, said the decision had been reached to ‘maintain public confidence in the police service’.
He added: “Hearings like this are about the individual but also about much more, with bigger and wider considerations in play.
“Therefore, the most appropriate outcome is dismissal without notice.”
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How to report animal cruelty
If you see, or suspect, that a person may be treating an animal badly, whether this is physical violence, neglect or any other form of cruelty, they should be reported to the RSPCA at www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/contactus/reportcruelty.
Reports can be made to 0300 1234 999. The call will cost the same as any call to a UK landline number.
Wayne Rooney expresses interest in joining Manchester United’s coaching staff
Danny Jones
In another unexpected twist in the Manchester United manager saga, club and England legend Wayne Rooney has expressed interest in returning to Old Trafford and potentially joining their coaching staff.
Man United’s all-time leading goalscorer is one of half a dozen different former players to have been linked with either the top job or a backroom role following Ruben Amorim’s departure.
Speaking on his self-titled BBC podcast, the retired Premier League icon turned coach and now pundit, didn’t hesitate when asked about the prospect, simply replying: “of course I would” – dubbing the decision as “a no-brainer.”
"Of course I would!"
Wayne Rooney wouldn't think twice about joining Michael Carrick's staff at Manchester United if an offer arrived. pic.twitter.com/nGEAugQjHH
Rooney’s last coaching job was that of Plymouth Argyle manager, which ended in December 2024 following a run of poor results, much like his time at Birmingham City earlier that year.
Since then, he’s bounced around between punditry and broadcasting, serving as a guest on the likes of The Overlap with his old teammates and peers, as well as now co-hosting his own aforementioned pod, The Wayne Rooney Show.
However, the 40-year-old has always insisted that he still wants a future in coaching, and while it may not have worked as a full-time first-team boss just yet, perhaps more of an assistant position or more specific post (maybe training the forwards as Benni McCarthy did) could be a better fit for now.
‘Wazza’ admitted that, even despite having been on holiday with Carrick “last week”, no one could have expected this situation to have emerged, and certainly not this quick a turnaround.
Moreover, Rooney insisted that rather than preferring any particular person for the next interim head coach/United manager or to join the wider staff, he simply believes that they need “people who know the club” inside and out.
He isn’t the first to have accused the global sporting franchise of losing its ‘identity’ in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and many seem to believe that getting in familiar faces who were at the club during its heyday could help resolve that issue.
This was obviously pretty much the thinking when Ole Gunnar Solskjær not only became interim head coach but got the job on a permanent basis after they began looking more like the confident, attacking teams of old and like they were enjoying their football again. Though we all know how it ended.
Solskjær did look to be leading the race to return to Old Trafford for a second spell as manager initially, but it now looks as though Michael Carrick is the odds-on favourite to replace Amorim in the interim, with the suggestion that one might still assist the other.
Carrick certainly received a good amount of praise during his time at Middlesbrough, and while his time there didn’t end perfectly, either – parting ways after missing out on the playoff spots once again – there seems to be a belief that he, whether flanked by others or not, is the right choice for United at this time.
Once again, there is talk of current temporary caretaker Darren Fletcher remaining with the first team in some capacity rather than simply returning straight to the under-18s, but only time will tell who will be involved. Nevertheless, it now looks nailed on that Carrick will be in the dugout for the derby day.
Police appeal for information after ‘attempted kidnapping’ in Wigan
Emily Sergeant
A public appeal for information has been issued after the attempted kidnapping of a female in Wigan last week.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Criminal Investigation Department are appealing for information and witnesses following the shocking incident, which occurred last Friday morning (9 January 2026) between 6:05am-6:20am.
The victim was walking along Central Park Way, in Wigan, when she was grabbed and threatened by a man who attempted to force her to come with him.
The victim managed to get free and to a place of safety, however the suspect fled the area.
The suspect is described by police as being a white male, approximately 6ft 1in tall, and was wearing grey joggers, black trainers, a yellow hi-vis vest, and a black beanie hat at the time of the incident.
#APPEAL | Officers are appealing for information following a reported attempt kidnapping on Friday 9 January between 6:05-6:20am on Central Park Way, #Wigan.
The victim was grabbed and threatened and the suspect attempted to force her with him.
Officers are supporting the victim and investigating the incident, but at this time are now appealing to the public for information.
“Whilst we understand incidents of this nature are concerning, I want to reassure our communities that we take reports of this nature very seriously and the safety of the public is our top priority,” commented Detective Sergeant Andrew Partington, of GMP’s Wigan CID, as he appealed to the public.
“Our officers are taking every measure and following multiple lines of enquiry to investigate the circumstances of this incident.
“We have extra patrols in place around the area and if you have any concerns, our officers are always more than happy to support.”
Can you help? Anyone with any information is urged to come forward.
This includes anyone who may have CCTV / dashcam footage, witnessed the incident itself, or can help police identify the man involved, and you can contact GMP on 0161 856 7094, quoting log 472 of 09/01/26.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd May 2023 
