A MAN has been jailed after horrific videos of a pack of dogs attacking foxes, badgers and deer where discovered on his mobile phone.

Cameron Christopher McLeod could be heard on some of the video footage encouraging dogs to attack the animals while accomplices could also be heard shouting as the wounded animals squealed in pain.

Hartlepool Magistrates’ were shown graphic footage of one of the attacks on a badger where the men could be heard egging the dogs on as they savagely attacked it over several minutes.

Today, the 29-year-old was jailed for 23 weeks after pleading guilty to seven animal cruelty related charges, which included the attacks on foxes, badgers and deer.

John Ellwood, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the phone was found when police went top his home on Annadale Crescent, Hartlepool, on an unrelated matter.

He said the defendant had an unhealthy interest in setting dogs on wild animals and a lurcher-type dog seized showed signs of fighting.

“It turned out she was what is called Bull lurcher, which is a cross between a lurcher and a form of bull terrier. She had a recent wound to her left upper nose causing swelling. She has an older healed cut to her left upper lip and an older puncture wound to her left cheek,” he said.

“There were several scars over her head and a small healing cut above her right eye. There was an open and infected cut to her right elbow and her right fore-claw was swollen and painful. The vet certified that she was suffering through a failure to treat her injuries.”

The charges McLeod pleaded guilty to were six of being present at animal fights on six different dates between February and April 2014, and one of, between 10th and 14th August 2014, causing unnecessary suffering to a female brindle and white lurcher-type dog called 'Pip/Pep' by failing to seek professional veterinary care to explore and address wounds to her body.

John Relton, mitigating, said: “He was not the ringleader here but he was certainly present at the time. He accepted that when the evidence was put to him. He will learn from this experience and he has been undoubtedly influenced by others. It is something he deeply regrets.”

Sentencing McLeod, chairman of the bench Stephen Hall said: “I have had to watch one of the most shocking videos that I had before me. I found the attacks evil and the torture of any animal for fun is just sickening.”

As well jailing McLeod, the magistrate banned him from owning a pet for life.

Speaking afterwards RSPCA inspector Clare Wilson said: “I think the sentence puts it out to the community that it is not acceptable for people to take part in this horrific kind of behaviour.”