A MAN who kicked and stamped repeatedly on the head of his pitbull terrier at a bus stop appeared in court on Wednesday.

Daniel Michael Peel, 29, who attacked his female dog Sacha "with venom and anger", pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

CCTV footage showed Peel kicking the dog at a bus stop near The Navy Club on North Road, Darlington, on May 17.

He then rounded the corner towards Northgate and stamped on the dog's head five or six times causing the animal to whine loudly.

One witness, who was standing at the bus stop, said: "He brought his left knee up high and stamped down five or six times on the dog's head. He put all his force into it, he did it with venom and anger.

"When he made contact with the dog I heard a crunching sound and a thud. It made me feel sick."

The witness added that they shouted after Peel and wanted to pursue him but "felt scared".

Prosecutor Kevin Campbell told Darlington Magistrates' Court how the RSPCA received several complaints and spoke to witnesses who came forward following the incident, one of which identified Peel, of Appleby Close, Darlington, from his tattoos.

Peel, who was given a special warning, offered no comment when asked by the RSPCA why he attacked the dog.

The pitbull terrier was seen by a vet, who found no obvious injuries on the dog, which may have been due to Sacha being a "powerful and extremely well built" dog.

After seeing the CCTV footage of the incident the vet said it was "a vicious attack" and there was "no justification".

A pre-sentence report will be prepared and Peel's sentencing was adjourned until Monday, November 23, at Darlington Magistrates' Court.