A DOG that was tortured by its owner during daily beatings has died from his injuries.
Biggie had an eye removed and suffered a broken hip and leg and a permanent facial injury after being beaten by his owner Jack Carling.
The Staffordshire bull terrier was rescued by the RSPCA in January but died on Friday after five months of treatment for his injuries.
He was suffering from a condition in his oesophagus and stomach, which vets believe was most likely to have been caused by trauma.
It left him unable to eat without being sick.
Inspector Hannah Bryer, who cared for him at home last week, said: "Biggie was such a lovely dog. We really wanted to give him the opportunity to have another life but, sadly, it wasn't meant to be.
"Everyone from the animal centre in Hull and at the vets that treated him is gutted, because we had all fallen in love with him because of his personality.
"All he wanted was some love and attention."
Carling, 19, was jailed for three months last month and was banned for keeping animals for life.
The abuse was uncovered when Miss Bryer visited his home in Farringdon Road, west Hull, on January 7.
His abuse has left the RSPCA with a bill of more than £10,000.
Miss Bryer said: "It looked like there were more internal injuries than we knew about at first.
"Throughout his treatment, he kept being sick but we put that down to his medicine.
"After he had been treated for everything else and he kept being sick, we knew there was something wrong."
Biggie underwent an operation at Swanbridge Veterinary Hospital to remove a hernia from his oesophagus, but continued to be sick.
Last week, Miss Bryer took him home to care for him – hand-feeding him intravenously every two hours. However, his condition deteriorated on Thursday night and he was assessed by vets the following day.
Miss Bryer said: "They said we would have to put him to sleep. We were all so upset because we knew we had done everything we possibly could and it was still too much for him."
A statement posted on RSPCA Hull's Facebook page said: "We sadly have to let you know Biggie has lost his fight for life. He touched many hearts and will be so sorely missed.
"We did everything we could for him but, in the end, his system just shut down.
"Thank you to everyone who did everything they could for him, and to Hannah Bryer for taking him home for this last week. His last days were filled with love."
Hull Magistrates Court heard vets concluded all of Biggie's injuries were caused by "malicious trauma".
During the hearing, prosecutor Philip Brown said: "He was caused immense physical suffering by the repeated malicious trauma inflicted on him.
"He has experienced daily fear, wondering what would happen to him next. He is disabled for life.
"The vet says it is upsetting to think this lovely-natured dog could be subjected this degree of treatment."
Carling admitted causing unnecessary suffering, failing to prevent suffering from injury or disease and failing to provide a suitable living environment for Biggie and his other dog, Sophie.
Miss Bryer said Sophie has been reserved for a new owner.
"This will give her a chance for a happy life," she said.
