A DAD who was found guilty of beating his pet puppy has been banned from keeping animals for at least ten years.

Leyton Harford, of Shaw Walk, Malvern, appeared at Worcester Magistrates yesterday for sentencing after being convicted in his absence of two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to his 15-week-old puppy, which was found with a lump on its head the size of half a tennis ball.

The 31-year-old had denied being responsible for the lump claiming the dog had been hit by a car, but had always admitted not taking the dog to the vet when he should have.

The charges related to an incident in November 2013 when the RSPCA received a report that the dog, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Ridick , had been hit in the head a number of times.

Rafe Turner, prosecuting, said the RSPCA got the call on November 26, 2013, and attended the house in Shaw Walk on the same day but were not granted entry to see the dog until the next day.

He said: “The dog had significant swelling to the forehead. The defendant himself describes it as the size of half a tennis ball.

“The dog was taken to see a vet after the RSPCA visit.”

Mr Turner said the defendant gave three different explanations as to the origin of the lump, all featuring a car.

But he went on to give veterinary evidence from two vets, who both said the injuries were not consistent with a car accident or indeed a kick.

Mr Turner quoted vet Mr Martin as saying: “In my opinion this injury is consistent with some sort of blunt trauma.

He added: “The vet said quite obviously veterinary attention should have been sought straight away.

“The injury was said to be consistent with a series of blows.”

The prosecution also stated the costs of the case were thought to be around £6,373.

Sarah Brady, defending Harford, saying he accepted he should have taken the dog to the vets but had money concerns.

She added: “The dog appears to have made a full recovery without any veterinary intervention.

“He is a man that’s in rather poor health, he’s been having investigations for months in relation to chronic vomiting.

“This is a matter that’s caused him difficulties at home, he’s struggled to leave his house. His family have received threats.”

Harford was given a lifetime ban from keeping animals with no leave to appeal for ten years. He was sentenced to 24 weeks on an electronic curfew running from 7pm to 6am for inflicting the blunt trauma and a 16 week curfew, to run concurrently, for failing to take the puppy to the vets.

He was ordered to pay £1,800 in costs and a £60 victim surcharge, disqualified from keeping animals and a deprivation order on the puppy was ordered, although it is already living with a new family.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Pippa Boyd said: "I am very pleased with the outcome of this case, which reflects the seriousness of Mr Harford’s actions against Ridick, the puppy.

"Ridick, who was an extremely subdued and non-interactive pup, has now developed into a lively, playful dog. He has been found a new home where he has settled in well and he is enjoying his new life."