By Hayley Robinson

A man found guilty of beating his dog to death with a claw hammer in his back garden, has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Christopher Dance, 23, formerly of Knightsfield Road, Sittingbourne, also received a 24-month community order to include aggressive replacement training, a six-month curfew between 9am and 7pm to run seven days a week and ordered to pay £750 costs when he appeared before Sittingbourne Magistrates Court today (Thursday).

The court heard how Dance beat his bull terrier cross breed dog Charley to death in May last year and failed to protect his Jack Russell dog who died following a fight with Charley.

Dermot Murphy, chief inspector for the RSPCA south east and London, said: "As a result of Dance’s irresponsible action one of his larger dogs killed the smaller dog.

"He gave three different versions of what happened, but the truth appears to be that he lost all control and battered the larger dog to death with a hammer.

"It was a disturbing scene to deal with and a case that needed to be brought to court and we are pleased that he has now been banned from keeping dogs. For us the most important thing is that no other animal can suffer at his hands."