Robert Howsam, 28, left the dogs to die after he strung them up in Bankswood Park, Hadfield.

A black cross collie and a Labrador cross, were found dead in November last year.

Ken Boylett, chairman of the bench at Chesterfield Magistrates Court, said: "This was done in a very public place and the dogs were seen by a number of people, including young people."

Heinous act

Howsam, of Hadfield, near Glossop, in Derbyshire, was found guilty of two counts of animal cruelty at his trial at Chesterfield Magistrates Court in August.

After that hearing, RSPCA Chief Inspector Peter Barrett said the killing of the dogs was "the most heinous act of cruelty" he had seen.

Howsam is thought to have killed the dogs after becoming upset following an argument with their owner.

He told the court he had entrusted the puppies to a man called Phil, but the court rejected his story.

Mr Boylett said a custodial sentence was necessary taking into account "the fact you deliberately hanged them together to die in a very horrific way".

Howsam was banned from keeping any animal for the next five years.