Student Robert Howsan, aged 28, of Hadfield, near Glossop, Derbyshire, faces jail after being found guilty of two charges of animal cruelty.

Cuddles, a black cross Collie, and Sandy, a cross Labrador, were found dead in Bankswood Park, Hadfield, in November 2002.

After the verdict on Tuesday, RSPCA chief inspector Peter Barrett, said it was "the most heinous act of cruelty" he had seen in his 15 years experience.

Kick threat

The police referred the matter to the RSPCA whose officers tracked down the owner as Howsan's live-in partner Tina Turner.

Ms Turner said Howsan had told her he had re-housed the puppies, magistrates were told.

Howsan told the RSPCA officers he had given them to a man he knew only as Phil whom he had met several times when walking the animals.

Mr Harper said the RSPCA had been unable to trace the man called Phil.

The RSPCA spoke to Howsan's former partner Gemma Lawton who claimed he had often made threats to her dogs when they lived together.

Mr Harper said that Howsan threatened to "kick and punch" the dogs.