I read that article - if it's true, and it was really lunged for 3hr straight, that is utterly abhorrent behaviour. But I don't understand why, if the judge is really so well-respected, they didn't go up to them and say 'oi, the way you're treating this animal isn't actually acceptable'.
Also I would fall asleep on my feet of sheer boredom if I had to lunge for that length of time.