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A stolen dog was fed drugs and set on fire after being viciously tortured by four “barbaric” teenagers.

Chunky, a Chihuahua cross puppy, was kicked and punched by the gang before being left for dead at a rubbish tip in Margate.

Investigators found he had been tortured for several hours prior to being abandoned.

The sick youths set fire to his face and eyes with a deodorant can 'flamethrower', fed him drugs and broke his leg and neck.

Miraculously, the dog survived after being found by a passer by the next evening.

Chunky has now been returned with his owners but the RSPCA feel he will always be timid because of the “barbaric” treatment.

In October, three teenagers, two aged 16 and one 15, admitted animal cruelty and a fourth youth, also 16, pleaded guilty today to the same offences at Folkestone Youth Court.

The group have been disqualified from keeping all animals for five years, given a year-long referral order and ordered to pay costs.

One youth paid £1,000 and the other two were ordered to pay £500. They cannot be named for legal reasons.

RSPCA inspector Caroline Doe said: “This was the most disturbing case I have ever dealt with - by an absolute mile.

“These youths admitted feeding him drugs, and kicking and punching him, and wringing and breaking his neck before dumping him. They also said they set fire to his face and eyes after lighting a deodorant aerosol can.

“The whole thing sends shivers down my spine. The defendants may have been young and confessed to being under the influence of drugs but the cruelty they inflicted on this poor dog was extreme, barbaric and inexcusable.

“Chunky was found with a broken leg and neck, and with burns all over his face and eyes. He must have suffered horrendously for hours as the senseless torture took place for the amusement of these boys.

“What was perhaps even worse was the fact Chunky suffered for days after he was dumped - literally left for dead on his own to wander next to a fast road.

“It is a miracle he survived. I will never forget how terrified and depressed he was when I first saw him. The injuries were so severe that despite the fantastic veterinary care and medication he was on, the medication was unable to numb all of the pain, and he suffered for at least six days according to veterinary experts.

“Thankfully he has now been restored to health and returned to his loving owners, though I fear he will always be timid and nervous as a result of his ordeal, and imagine the owners will never quite be able to come to terms with what was senseless and needlessly inflicted on their beautiful family pet .”