Kieran Milledge jailed for brutal train attack on dog Published duration 25 November 2016

image copyright BTP image caption Kieran Milledge said he had been so drunk at the time that he could not remember what happened

A man whose dog died days after he beat and threw it around a train carriage has been jailed.

Kieran Milledge, 22, was caught on CCTV attacking his Staffordshire bull terrier on a train between Braintree and Witham, Essex, in October.

He was seen abusing the animal in what Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard was a "continued and brutal attack".

Milledge, of no fixed address, admitted animal cruelty and possession of a bladed weapon.

He was jailed for 21 weeks for the animal cruelty offence and, to be served concurrently, eight weeks for breaching a suspended sentence order and six months for the weapon offence.

media caption Man who swung dog against train wall jailed

The attack on his dog, called Ronnie, happened over a 20 minute period, the court heard.

Milledge hung the dog by its lead and then swung him against the wall of the train before pushing his foot against his pet's face.

During the attack, Ronnie appeared to lose consciousness and fouled the seat he was on.

image copyright BTP image caption Kieran Milledge was described as a 'violent dog abuser' by British Transport Police

He died three days later, the court was told.

Milledge said he had been so drunk that he could not remember what happened.

Sgt Steven Maguire, of British Transport Police, said: "I welcome today's sentence as it has taken a violent dog abuser off the streets.

"Milledge's cruel beating of his dog was simply inexcusable and I am pleased that he now has an indefinite ban from keeping animals."