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A cruel dad and son have been banned from keeping animals for a decade after attacking a defenceless puppy.

Police found the small white terrier, named Ted, covered in blood and suffering horrific injuries after he was attacked by the pair.

Russel and William Marriner, 56 and 20, claimed Ted had attacked them but neither were able to show any proof of injuries.

The pair, of St Patrick's Way, Harrogate, have now been banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Police rushed to the property after receiving a call about a dog being beaten, writes YorkshireLive.

When they arrived they could see the pup huddled behind the door with red patches on the laminate flooring which looked like blood.

RSPCA Inspector Nikki Cheetham, who led the investigation for the animal welfare charity, attended with the officers.

She said: “Police finally managed to rouse a man who eventually opened the door and it became immediately apparent that the small dog, called Ted, was severely injured.

“He was covered in dried blood and he had a significant wound to the top of his head.

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“Both the men claimed Ted had attacked them but neither of them was able to show any injuries.”

Police found further bloodstains throughout the lounge including a blood-covered metal vegetable steamer, as well as blood on a cardboard box and on an axe.

The items were seized as evidence and Ted was signed over into the care of the RPSCA.

Insp Cheetham said: “Ted was not able to weight bear on his right hind leg so I picked him up and carried him to my van. When we arrived at the vets, I found Ted cowering at the back of the kennel.

“It took me several minutes to gain his trust.”

Ted had bruising to his upper lip, a fractured tooth as well as a wound affecting his gums and bruising to his tongue, left eye and pinnae of both ears.

After vets clipped his fur, they found small circular wounds consistent with the pattern of holes on the metal vegetable steamer.

Radiographers discovered that the puppy also had a dislocated hip following the attack.

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The veterinary report said: “The injuries sustained are, in my opinion, consistent with assault and severe blunt force trauma.

“It takes a very significant amount of force to dislocate the hip and this is an extremely painful injury that can in some cases require hip surgery and can cause long term complications."

Ted was given medication until he recovered and has since found a new home through the charity's York Animal Centre.

The Marriners were handed suspended for 18 months at Harrogate Magistrates' Court on March 5.

They were banned from keeping animals for 10 years after admitting two animal welfare offences each, including inflicting injuries on their dog Ted and failing to ensure he received appropriate veterinary care for his injuries contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The pair were also both ordered to attend a six-month alcohol treatment program.

• Animals
• Dogs
• Crime

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