A father who threw a nine-week-old puppy across a room “like a rugby ball” breaking two of his legs was banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Cookie the Staffordshire Bull Terrier had been given as a gift a week before Andrew Hickinbottom attacked him, Mr Nick Sutton, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said.

Hickinbottom, aged 27, of Dartmouth Close, Coalpool, Walsall, slapped Cookie several times then “hurled him with force across the room”.

Cookie suffered fractures to his left front paw and rear thigh as a result. 

Mr Sutton told Walsall Magistrates Court Hickinbottom had been living with Lisa Bray and their children at the time of the incident in November last year.

“Miss Bray could see him holding the dog by his feet with one hand and slapping the dog with the other hand,” he said.

“He did it a number of times, slapping the dog hard and the puppy was screaming and yelping with pain.

“She told him to leave the dog alone. He then took both hands and threw the dog like a rugby ball into its bed from a distance of about 8ft. 

“Miss Bray said the dog was trembling and seemed terrified and was holding up a front leg,” Mr Sutton told the court. The couple had a row and the police were called. Yesterday Hickinbottom admitted causing unnecessary suffering.

Mr Nigel Ford, defending, told the court his client accepted he injured the dog when he threw him, but there was no evidence of injury caused by slapping.

“It was an impulsive act and he regrets it and the injuries which were caused,” Mr Ford added.

In addition to the 10 year disqualification from keeping any animal, Hickinbottom was given a 12-month community order with 12 months supervision.

Cookie is now being kept in the care of the RSPCA. Anyone interested in homing him should call 0300 123 0753.