Sick puppy killer tortured 11-week-old pet to death for his 'enjoyment'
20.10.2023 - 17:03
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A man has been jailed after torturing an 11-week-old puppy to death "for no other reason than enjoyment", a court heard.
Dudley Payne, 29, of Braintree Avenue, was jailed for two years and nine months after carrying out the sickening attack on American Bully Rocko. The puppy's breeder, George Wilson, claimed Rocko was perfectly healthy when he was given to Payne in January 2022.
However, after just one week, the puppy tragically died from a range of injuries including cigarette burns, broken bones, and even internal bleeding. The court was also told that signs of an adrenaline rush before his death meant the pup was terrified during its last moments, Lancs Live reports.
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Handing down the sentence, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham, said: "The only conclusion I can draw is that you tortured that dog to death. He must have died in agony and terror.
"You have shown no remorse. I am driven to the appalling conclusion you did it to him because you enjoyed it."
A trial in August 2023 at Preston Crown Court heard how Payne agreed to buy Rocko from Mr Wilson through a payment plan - the pair knew each other from school. However, after taking the pup home on January 25, he failed to make his first payment.
Rocko received his injections and was cleared with no problems on January 29. However, on February 1, Payne's grandmother called the out-of-hours vet.
Judge Altham said: "It was clear the dog was either dead or close to death." The court heard how the vet fee was too