Jack Russell put down due to injuries court is told

A Jack Russell dog was beaten so badly it was left with a hole in its head, prosecutors told a court. It had to be put down due to the severity of its injuries.

Vets treating the animal said they believed it had suffered a blow to the head on two occasions. Owners Jake Adderley, aged 22, and Rebecca Perkins, 20, both deny causing the pet's injuries.

But the pair, of Belmont Road, Brierley Hill, have admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the dog by not providing adequate care for its head injuries.

A hearing at Dudley Magistrates Court yesterday heard the dog was taken to Water Front Veterinary Centre with a hole in its head and a fractured skull on October 28. It was struggling to stand due to brain damage.

One vet compared the injury to a case he had seen of a Rottweiler being hit on the head by a golf club.

Adderley and Perkins told RSPCA officers the dog had suffered a fit and fallen down the stairs.

Mr Nick Sutton, prosecuting, said: "Someone has assaulted this animal and beaten it to death."

Perkins had taken the dog to vets on two previous occasions. On September 27, the dog was taken to Water Front Veterinary Centre with swollen eyes and on October 14 it was taken to the PDSA with bruised eyes, swelling under the jaw and a fractured rib.

Mr Michael Davies, defending Perkins, said the couple bought the dog through the internet. He said: "On October 28 she returned from shopping trip to find that the dog was in a very poor state, the injuries were apparent."

He added: "She accepts that she should have known that between October 19 and 28 it was quite clear there was something wrong and she should have done something about it."

Mr John Harmshaw, defending Adderley, said: "He noticed things, but did not take action. I must add there were quite a number of other people who entered the home."

The case was adjourned and the pair will be sentenced by Walsall magistrates on September 3.