A MAN has been given a suspended jail sentence and a life ban from keeping animals for life, after admitting stabbing his dog to death.

Wayne Bishop admitted killing his mastiff cross, named General, at his flat in Stalls Farm Road, Droitwich, when he appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court.

General had been discovered in the 29-year-old’s home by police officers who had gained entry after concerns were raised by neighbours about the stench coming from the property.

Officers contacted the RSPCA after finding the dog’s body with a stab wound to his chest.

Bishop was later interviewed by an RSPCA inspector, where he admitted that he attacked his dog but claimed he had done so after the dog had attacked him.

He initially denied the charge of causing unnecessary suffering under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at an earlier court hearing, but changed his plea at the beginning of his trial admitting he had killed his dog in a moment of cruelty.

Bishop, now of Weston-Super-Mare, was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison on June 9, suspended for two years, and given the lifetime disqualification order on all animals.

He was also ordered to carry out 250 hours community service, and to pay £865 in court costs.

RSPCA inspector Rachel Hayward, who investigated the case, said: “General’s death was an absolutely horrific case of animal cruelty at its worst.

"It’s horrendous to think that he was stabbed to death in such a brutal attack. There is simply no excuse for such extreme cruelty.

“Bishop had no injuries so we disputed his claims he had been attacked by General.

"He later admitted he stabbed the dog in anger and said at the time General wasn’t attacking him as he had first claimed."