A MAN stabbed to death a pet dog after his mother was given a scare by a similar animal.
Terence Micheal Renton, 31, went looking for a Staffordshire bull terrier after his mother told him one had scared her.
Renton, of Kingfisher Rise, east Hull, claimed he had also been bitten by a breed of that dog.
Hull Magistrates' Court heard he was unable to find a stray dog and asked people in the area if they had seen one.
Renton was told a dog of that breed was locked in a nearby garden. He went to the property armed with a knife and stabbed the animal in the neck.
The dog died from a single deep stab wound.
Shocked members of the public called the police and the RSPCA.
Renton has now been jailed for six months after he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing an article with a blade.
Magistrates described his conduct as "cruelty of the gravest gravity".
They have banned him from keeping any animal for life.
Renton will not be able to appeal the order for 15 years.
RSPCA inspector Hannah Bryer said: "To inflict any physical harm or violence on any animal is inexcusable but to intentionally go out with a view to harm an animal and cause its death is a cold, calculated and callous act of cruelty.
"I am pleased the court has recognised the serious nature of this type of offending and has also imposed a lifelong disqualification order from keeping animals."
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