DOG OWNERS in an Irish town were horrified when two yapping puppies were bludgeoned to death-then nailed to a door – allegedly by their owner.

Horrified gardai and ISPCA chiefs are investigating claims that the killer was the dog's owner. He allegedly slaughtered the puppies with a lump hammer. He is believed to have then hung them on his neighbour's front door after they complained about the pups barking. The barbaric attack on the four-month-old pets happened on the Sycamore Drive Estate in Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow.

A resident who asked not to be named commented: "The whole thing was due to an altercation between neighbours. There had been complaints about the pups barking so their owner killed them. Afterwards he tried to then dispose of the bodies by burning them. Then he hung them on his neighbour's door".

The incident was reported to the gardai and a man believed to be in his 40s has been questioned about the animals’ deaths.