The animal was tortured for three days

Judge Michael Mettyear told Shaun Furgusson, 24, his claim he had a mental age of 12 was not enough to reduce a four-month sentence.

The judge said even a 12-year-old would not treat an animal in the way he did.

Furgusson, from Wansford Grove, Hull, was jailed last week for kidnapping nine-year-old mongrel Chrissy and killing her over a three-day period.

The judge said at Hull Crown Court: "This is a truly despicable case. The injuries were absolutely horrific. I have seen the pictures of the poor animal. Its suffering must have been awful.

This was a sustained act of torture. When we visited the house it was like an abattoir Derek Beardsley, RSPCA

"How anyone could do this to a defenceless animal is beyond belief. You used a dado rail, a claw hammer and a broom handle. It is almost breathtaking."

Furgusson admitted beating and causing unnecessary suffering to the dog.

The family pet, which was friendly to children, had brain damage, a punctured lung, burnt whiskers, five broken ribs and broken teeth.

'Nasty' claim

Furgusson threw the dog at a television, cut off part of its ear with scissors and then led its owner Tracey Bainbridge to where she lay dying in a neighbour's garden, covered in a union flag.

He then tried to cover up, saying the dog had turned nasty and snapped at his 12-month-old daughter.

RSPCA inspector Derek Beardsley said: "I am very pleased the court has upheld the sentence. This was a sustained act of torture. When we visited the house it was like an abattoir. He butchered this dog."