OLD DOG: Lincoln, the 14-year-old dog used as fight-bait.

A man who used an old dog as fighting bait for his pit-bull cross has been jailed for ten months.

William Campbell had already admitted seven charges of dog fighting and failing to seek treatment for the injured dogs.

Campbell, 25, of Porirua, had intended to defend a charge ofstealing the dog from Titahi Bay but after discussions with his lawyer Paul Surridge pleaded guilty to the the charge in Porirua District Court this morning.

KENT BLECHYNDEN/Dominion Post DESPICABLE CRIME: William Campbell.

At his sentencing this afternoon on all the charges he was also banned for life from owning or caring for an animal.

On Easter Monday, Campbell took Lincoln, a 14-year-old ridgeback-cross, from Titahi Bay, locked him in his car boot and drove him to Whitireia Park.

It was there he pitted the dog against his own dog, Dukes.

Lincoln suffered deep bite wounds and was deserted by Campbell – and later found bleeding and hiding in a toilet block.

Judge Geoff Ellis labelled the crime as "revolting" and "despicable".

Campbell was ordered to pay reparations of $4362.47 at a rate of $10 per week starting from one month after his release.