A cruel self-styled "urban hunter" who trained his dogs to maul wild animals - including deer and foxes - was yesterday jailed.
Sean Ward, 27, filmed and possessed barbaric videos of the attacks, one of which showed a man restraining a live deer by its hind legs.
A court heard the deer "would have had no chance of escape" and was allowed to "be savaged by dogs in a cruel and heinous act".
But Ward was on Monday sentenced to seven months in prison, Daily Record says.
He has also been banned from keeping animals for 20 years after his activities were rumbled by the Scottish SPCA.
After a tip-off, special investigators for the animal watchdog seized main’s computer and phone, which revealed many photos and videos depicting barbaric activities against wild animals.
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The original tip had related to a group of urban hunters using dogs to bait badgers and the trail soon led to Ward’s home in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde.
"In April 2018, our animal helpline received a call from a person concerned for a Jack Russell terrier type dog they had seen in a remote field with several injuries.
"The injuries were thought to be consistent with badger baiting and the case was handed to and investigated by the SIU who have specialist knowledge and experience in investigating this type of offence," a Scottish SPCA undercover special investigations unit (SIU) chief inspector told the court.
"After analysing evidence, we were led to the residence of Ward and through a warrant seized an electronic device which contained video footage, images and text messages relating to animal fighting, hunting and trapping animals in order to set dogs on them."
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Ward admitted keeping dogs for an animal fight contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, as well as possessing video of cruelty with the aim of passing it on.
Speaking after sentencing, the Scottish SPCA chief inspector said: "The deer which was filmed would have had no chance of escape and allowing it to be savaged by these dogs was a cruel and heinous act. It would have suffered a prolonged, painful death because of the dog attack.”
"This is a truly barbaric and horrific case which resulted in pain and suffering for the dogs in Ward’s care and the wild animals targeted for 'fun'.
"We are glad the court has dealt with this and a prison sentence has been handed down. This punishment reflects the depravity of the crime."
