A MAN has been jailed for four months after subjecting a puppy to a beating so severe that it died.

Ian Knight, 21, initially told an RSPCA inspector who called at his home in Melrose Drive, St Helen Auckland, County Durham, that he had found the dog dying after a burglary.

He said whoever broke in had attacked the puppy. Knight admitted burying the body.

But Bishop Auckland magistrates heard yesterday that the RSPCA later received information that Knight, who had not reported the burglary to the police, had punched and kicked the dog.

His girlfriend at the time, Helen Walker, initially wanted to protect Knight, but she later told the inspector she had returned home on June 30 last year and the puppy had defecated on the carpet.

She later saw the dog lying behind the sofa and said Knight told her he had "slapped" the puppy.

She told the inspector: "Its eyes were open and it was still breathing. He died in my arms a minute or so later."

Knight, who now lives in Middlewood Avenue, St Helen Auckland, admitted he had "tapped" the puppy on its head and rubbed its nose in the mess.

But laboratory tests revealed it had suffered a brain haemorrhage, a fractured right rib and liver damage.

The injuries were consistent with a blow to the head and being shaken violently, the court heard. Other minor injuries suggested a severe assault.

Knight admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the puppy, In addition to the jail sentence he was banned from keeping animals for ten years.

Michael Hole, for Knight, said: "He is extremely remorseful that his actions have led to this dog dying. In a moment of temper, he hit the dog after it had defecated on the carpet. He couldn't offer any explanation with regard to the other injuries."