A MAN who admitted stabbing a dog and causing its death has been fined £250 by the RSPCA.

James Bamber (29), stabbed the cross-breed called Ace, during an affray in Heath Street, Burnley, in December. The dog later died and Bamber was arrested and charged with affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

In January, he was found guilty on both charges at Burnley Magistrates' Court and was given a suspended prison sentence of 120 days, a 12-month suspension order, a further 12 months on licence and £200 in compensation. Police also ordered the knife be destroyed.

Bamber, formerly of Heath Street, Burnley, but now of Belgrave Street, Nelson, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog in the RSPCA prosecution at Burnley Magistrates' Court and was also banned from owning or keeping a dog for 12 months and was ordered to pay £500 in court costs.

Insp. Caroline Hall of the RSPCA, said: "I am happy the court saw fit to disqualify him from owning or keeping a dog for the next year and fined him.

"The RSPCA will call to account anybody found to have harmed an animal. It is not a harsh sentence but the circumstances surrounding the incident do not suggest he will be a risk to animals in the long term."