A MAN from Halewood who beat a dog so badly he fractured its spine was yesterday banned from keeping animals for five years.

Daniel Anthony Irvine, 19, of Stourvale Road, had previously pleaded guilty at the city’s magistrates court to causing unnecessary suffering to the dog, Missy, by subjecting it to violent physical trauma.

The court heard that in February the RSPCA was contacted by a member of the public about the eight-week-old cross breed spaniel/labrador dog that had been found lying on the floor and crying in pain at an address in Ash Grove, Wavertree.

The dog was removed and taken to a local vet where she was put to sleep due to the severity of her injuries.

A post mortem revealed the dog had suffered multiple rib and spinal fractures, along with evidence of previous trauma on three or four separate dates.

There had also been a recent bleeding injury to the brain and widespread bruising to the head and neck area.

The report concluded that the trauma was most likely to have been caused through the dog being beaten.

Irvine insisted the injuries were the result of an accident and the he did not intend to harm her.

Yesterday Liverpool magistrates banned him from keeping any animal for five years, imposed a community order and a 12-month supervision order and ordered him to pay £200 costs.

RSPCA inspector Claire Cain said: "This was a shocking case of cruelty against a young, vulnerable animal. This puppy’s injuries were so severe it had to be put to sleep to end its suffering. I can’t imagine the pain and distress it must have endured as a result of its horrific ordeal."