A 50-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for five months for killing a fox by setting his bull terrier dog on it.

William Burrell told magistrates he trapped the creature and then killed it by hitting it over the head. He had said that, once dead, he had given the fox to his dog to maul.

Burrell, of Short Street, Burton, pleaded not guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 but was found guilty by Burton magistrates on both counts.

He was sentenced to five months concurrent in prison for each offence and banned from keeping dogs for life.

Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA inspector Penny Barker said: "It is not an offence to catch a fox in a humane trap. However, the way in which the animal is disposed of must be humane.

"The manner in which this fox was killed was illegal and inhumane, causing barbaric suffering to the animal."

The court heard that Ms Barker visited Short Street, Burton, in October 2009 and saw a large dead fox hanging from a shed by a blue rope.

Ms Barker said she could see the dog fox had died recently because there was a lot of blood around the animal's head and mouth.

She also said she saw a Staffordshire bull terrier in a kennel and, inside, there were blood stains.

Forensic veterinary evidence given said the fox's body was covered in puncture wounds and bruising.

It was said these were consistent with the animal being alive when mauled by a dog.

At Burton Magistrates' Court, Burrell was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by confining it in a kennel and putting his dog inside to attack the fox.

He was also found guilty of causing an animal fight to take place.

Ms Barker said: "The RSPCA recognises the necessity of capturing animals on a limited scale for a variety of reasons but there is never justification for inflicting a cruel and painful death."