A teenager who bludgeoned and stabbed his dog to death broke down in tears on being jailed in Manchester.
Prior to being sent down for 20 weeks, Sean Deakin's lawyer said he had received numerous death threats.
Miss Annmarie Gregory told District Judge Mark Hadfield: "This case has caused high emotion and he has been petrified of leaving his house.
"Further threats have been made on Facebook,"
In May last year the callous 19-year-old had used a hammer to batter the dog called Tyson 20 times about the head.
Deakin left the Staffordshire bull terrier dying on the bathroom floor and went to sign on at the Job Centre.
On returning he chased Tyson into the kitchen and trapped him between his legs and stabbed him in the chest.
During a two-day trial the court heard that the wound proved fatal but Tyson took eight hours to die.
Afterwards under the cover of darkness Deakin wrapped Tyson in a plastic bag and dumped in a wheelie bin.
Deakin, formerly of Birchfield Road, Atherton, was found guilty on three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Passing sentence the judge said: "These are always difficult cases because emotions run high.
"After hearing what you did only custody can follow. I take into account your age and lack of previous convictions.
"But I don't find any reasons to suspend the sentence."
His girlfriend Sarah Tame, 19, pleaded guilty to causing Tyson unnecessary suffering by failing to get veterinary care after the attack.
She was given 150 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £200 prosecutions costs.
The couple who live together and have a child, were banned from keeping any animals for 10 years.
Around 20 people gathered outside Manchester magistrates' court ahead of the hearing to campaign for more severe sentences for animal-cruelty cases.
Speaking after the hearing, protestor Rita James said: "We're disgusted with the sentence, we think the system is failing. He (Deakin) will be out of prison in 10 weeks."
Fellow demonstrator Michael James said there should be more regulation of online shopping sites where people can pick up dogs for free.

I know this is off topic to the usual content of my blog. But i just felt i had to post it, especielly after my other post about dogs being judged. I think this just proves that it's not the dogs that are fault but the British Justice system by not providing enough protection for animals.

Dad and i are both sat here sick to the stomach. I don't usually swear but Dad said he will make an exception in this case.

How on earth can he only get 20 weeks probably be out in 10 and his girlfriend doesn't sound mutch better, and have they not gave a thought to the child. If he can murder his dog what's to say he won't be violent towards his child.

I sugested putting him in with a pack of wolves, but Dad said they've got more sense than to touch something so evil, i think Dad just wants to shoot him.

My Dad doesn't usually condone violence but this case has really wound him up.

I think it's about time more was done to protect us animals. If i bit him i would probably get eauthanised for being a dangerous dog and if Dad murdered him he would probably get life.

But because it's only a dog he only gets 20 weeks for good behavior he will probably do 10 weeks, what a joke.

R.I.P Tyson.

Regard one angry Sheba.

ps Sorry for the rant.