AN animal charity is warning of the dangers of using the internet to sell pets after a dog was tortured and killed just days after its new owner bought it.

Sean Deakin, aged 19, hit Staffordshire Bull Terrier Tyson 20 times with a hammer before stabbing him with a knife at Birchfield Avenue, Atherton, magistrates were told.

He then dumped the pet in a wheelie bin outside.

Deakin, who now lives in Greenhill Road, Wakefield, was jailed for 20 weeks at Manchester Magistrates Court after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and failing to provide proper and necessary vet care.

RSPCA inspector Danni Jennings said: “What this dog went through was absolutely horrific.

“The court heard that it was hit with a hammer around 20 times then, three hours later, when Deakin noticed it had urinated, he chased the dog around the flat, kicking and punching it.

“When they got to the kitchen he picked up a knife and stabbed it. Deakin then went out, returning shortly before Tyson died of his injuries, around eight hours after the initial attack. The body was found dumped in a wheelie bin outside.

“Tyson was tortured. He wasan innocent animal who had done nothing wrong but to have the misfortune of finding himself in the care of this couple.”

The dog was being advertised for sale for £50 by Deakin’s girlfriend, Sarah Tame, aged 19, on a listings website site at the time it was killed.

Insp Jennings added: “I hope this case highlights the danger of websites where pets are given away or sold and that people think twice before using them.

“This is an area where no checks are being made.

“Responsible owners should not use these forums to acquire or pass on unwanted animals and people should only take on animals from reputable breeders or rescue organisations.”

Tame was given a 12-month community order including 150 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay a £200 fine.

She was banned from keeping any animals for 10 years, and another dog was taken from her.

She had previously pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Tyson by failing to provide proper and necessary vet care following his stabbing.