A man who tried to kill his pet dog because he wasn’t able to find a new home for it has been sentenced to jail.

Marc Turnbull, 38, shot cross-breed Rocky five times in the head and once in the leg, hit the animal with a shovel and then left him to die in a ditch.

The dog was found by a member of the public some three days later, near the A5 at Weedon, Northamptonshire.

Download the new Independent Premium app Sharing the full story, not just the headlines

X-rays showed the extent of the damage dealt to Rocky, which included a large open wound on the back of his head that went down to the ridge of the skull, and multiple injuries caused by an air rifle.

Miraculously the animal survived the ordeal, and police were able to trace the dog back to Mr Turnbull, who is from Northampton, because it had been microchipped.

He claimed inflicting the injuries was his only option after he failed to find another home for the dog.

Mr Turnbull admitted three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to Rocky, and was jailed for 20 weeks at Northampton Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. He has also been banned from keeping animals for 20 years.

RSPCA inspector Michelle McNab said: “This was a truly unbelievable case that involved immense suffering to the dog.

”Fortunately, Rocky was found and amazingly he survived. He has since been rehomed to a loving family.“