A MAN has admitted biting his pet dog in retaliation for the animal nipping him.

Paul Cole, 38, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the Akita-type puppy called Tika.

Police were called to Coles home in Derby Close, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, on March 29 last year after reports that a dog was being beaten.

Northallerton Magistrates Court heard Cole had hit, kicked and bit the dogs ear.

The dog was removed and the RSPCA was called in to investigate.

RSPCA inspector Will Rippon said after the hearing: Tika was taken to the vets in the early hours of Sunday morning where she was examined.

The vet found three injuries to her ear, consistent with a bite. She was bruised and sore along her stomach and abdomen, hip and thigh. She was passing blood in her urine from damage to her bladder.

Tika was in considerable discomfort and was given pain relief to ease her suffering.

In mitigation, the court heard that Coles violence was a reaction to Tika biting him on the hand as he tried to get her out of her dog crate.

The court was told he had not sought treatment for the bite from either a hospital or doctors surgery because he was drunk at the time.

Insp Rippon said: Veterinary testimony stated that Tika was extremely good-natured and showed no aggression even when painful regions were touched.

The vet had no reservations about her whatsoever, and after several weeks in RSPCA care she was happily rehomed.

Cole was banned from keeping dogs for eight years at the hearing on Tuesday.

He was also sentenced to a two-year community order including 300 hours of unpaid work to be done within 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay 1,500 costs.

He will not be able to appeal against the ban for five years.

This was a vicious, sustained attack, on a young dog, which caused significant injury and unnecessary suffering.

We hope the sentence will prevent Mr Cole from being in a position to do anything like this again, Insp Rippon added.