A JOBLESS dog owner was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he killed his dog, a Bullmastiff called Max in late May last year.

Teesside Magistrates Court were told how Peter Dibden, 39 had sunk a Samurai sword 6 inches into the side of the dog.

They also heard that when officers entered the home of Peter Dibden whilst acting on a tip from from Dibden's girlfriend, they were greeted by the bloody scene.

Sgt Neil Taylor said in evidence that Dibden had been very agitated and his eyes were glazed over.

He said: "He appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He didn't speak. Kept pacing up and down. Eventually he did speak. Just said he was messing about and he walked onto this."
A quantity of Class A amphetamine was recovered from Dibden's clothes.

Dibden repeatedly changed his story about how Max had come to received his fatal injuries, and at one point insisted that the dog had attacked him and accidentally fallen onto the weapon, which was part of a 14 piece set.

RSPCA barrister Mr Warren Greer claimed Dibden had used the excuses for "justifying killing this dog". Dibden pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing the dog unnecessary suffering. Magistrates found him guilty and he was fined £900 with £600 costs and banned him from keeping dogs for life. They ordered the collection of weapons to be destroyed.