This is the shocking picture of a dog which suffered a “slow and painful death” after being brutally kicked by its drunken owner.

The Harlesden man, who beat his dog to death in a drunken rage, has been jailed and banned from keeping animals for life.

Stephen Martyn, of Chadwick Road, told Hendon magistrates he could not remember attacking his Jack Russell terrier, Russ, in front of horrified onlookers on March 6. All he remembers was waking up in a police cell at 2am after he had been arrested.

Suffering

RSPCA inspector Mike Beaman said: “The kicking that this poor dog received was brutal. The fact that Mr Martyn was so drunk is not an excuse.”

Russ suffered two ruptures in the spleen and multiple tears in the liver from the attack, according to a post-mortem report.

The dog suffered in pain for at least 20 minutes before falling unconscious and later being found under a bush.

Mr Beaman said: “When I picked up Russ’s body, blood poured from his mouth, such was the extent of his internal injuries. This dog suffered a slow and painful death.”

Martyn, 39, a recovering alcoholic, admitted one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog and was sentenced to 16 weeks in jail.

The court heard how Martyn had taken Russ out for a walk and had met friends who offered him a drink.

He drank four cans of alcohol, but does not remember walking home, kicking the dog or being arrested.

He appeared at Hendon Magistrates’ Court on November 5. The court was told that Martyn has received voluntary treatment for alcoholism and he was extremely remorseful.