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| Man who tortured American bully puppy to death jailed | Man who tortured American bully puppy to death jailed |
| (25 days later) | |
| The 11-week-old puppy, named Rocko, was found with cigarette burns and scratches, the RSPCA says | The 11-week-old puppy, named Rocko, was found with cigarette burns and scratches, the RSPCA says |
| A man who tortured a puppy to death has been given the longest prison sentence ever handed down under the Animal Welfare Act, the RSPCA has said. | A man who tortured a puppy to death has been given the longest prison sentence ever handed down under the Animal Welfare Act, the RSPCA has said. |
| Dudley Payne, 29, of Penwortham, Lancashire, was convicted of causing "horrific injuries" to the 11-week-old American bully breed. | Dudley Payne, 29, of Penwortham, Lancashire, was convicted of causing "horrific injuries" to the 11-week-old American bully breed. |
| The dog, named Rocko, had a severe head trauma, a ruptured liver, a partial hip fracture and a prolapsed eyeball. | The dog, named Rocko, had a severe head trauma, a ruptured liver, a partial hip fracture and a prolapsed eyeball. |
| Payne was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. | Payne was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. |
| He was also banned from keeping animals for 15 years. | He was also banned from keeping animals for 15 years. |
| 'Shocking violence' | 'Shocking violence' |
| The puppy, who Payne had only owned for six days, also had cigarette burns on its groin and abrasions consistent with being scratched by fingernails, the animal welfare charity said. | The puppy, who Payne had only owned for six days, also had cigarette burns on its groin and abrasions consistent with being scratched by fingernails, the animal welfare charity said. |
| RSPCA inspector Emma Dingley said it was the most "shocking and violent act of deliberate cruelty" towards an animal she had ever investigated in her eight-year career. | RSPCA inspector Emma Dingley said it was the most "shocking and violent act of deliberate cruelty" towards an animal she had ever investigated in her eight-year career. |
| Jurors heard how the RSPCA had been contacted by a vet after Rocko was taken to them on 2 February 2022, but was dead on arrival. | Jurors heard how the RSPCA had been contacted by a vet after Rocko was taken to them on 2 February 2022, but was dead on arrival. |
| In a statement read in court at the trial, Inspector Dingley said: "The vet received the post-mortem results back and immediately contacted the RSPCA. | In a statement read in court at the trial, Inspector Dingley said: "The vet received the post-mortem results back and immediately contacted the RSPCA. |
| "He told me on the phone it was the worst post-mortem examination report he had ever read." | "He told me on the phone it was the worst post-mortem examination report he had ever read." |
| A vet who also gave evidence in court said Rocko's injuries suggested "intentional harm". | A vet who also gave evidence in court said Rocko's injuries suggested "intentional harm". |
| Payne had claimed the injuries had been sustained after he had performed CPR when the dog developed breathing difficulties, but a jury at Preston Crown Court found him guilty of animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, external after a four-day trial. | Payne had claimed the injuries had been sustained after he had performed CPR when the dog developed breathing difficulties, but a jury at Preston Crown Court found him guilty of animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, external after a four-day trial. |
| He was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. | He was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. |
| Speaking after sentencing at Lancaster Crown Court, Ms Dingley said: "I will never be able to comprehend what happened to Rocko and why such a young animal was treated in such a cruel way. | Speaking after sentencing at Lancaster Crown Court, Ms Dingley said: "I will never be able to comprehend what happened to Rocko and why such a young animal was treated in such a cruel way. |
| "This investigation will stay with me forever, but I'm pleased that we were able to get some justice for this little puppy, and I think the long custodial sentence reflects the gravity of this case." | "This investigation will stay with me forever, but I'm pleased that we were able to get some justice for this little puppy, and I think the long custodial sentence reflects the gravity of this case." |
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