Thug beat his Alsatian puppy to death in a fit of rage then dumped body in woods where it was found by ‘traumatised’ children

A THUG kicked and punched his Alsatian puppy to death in a fit of rage before attempting to hide its body in a woodland, a court has heard.

Jon-Luc McLoughlin, 26, subjected his 11-month-old pup Lexi to a barbaric beating which killed her almost instantly before "traumatised" kids found the dead pet.

After calming down he attempted to cover his tracks by dumping the body in an area of trees near his home in Poole, Dorset.

However, the pet was discovered by some local children who were left 'traumatised' by what they found.

FATAL ATTACK

McLoughin had only owned Lexi for a month after buying her with his partner before the fatal attack.

Yesterday, he appeared at Poole Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to "causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal".

The court heard that a post-mortem carried out on Lexi's body found she had suffered "blunt force trauma", including a laceration to her liver, blood in her abdomen and a stomach tear.

During a police interview McLaughlin initially tried to put the injuries down to a road traffic collision but later confessed to the killing, telling officers: "I get very angry and I don't know what came over me".

The death was reported to the RSPCA who brought the prosecution against McLoughlin to court.

Matthew Knight, prosecuting, said: "He punched or kicked the dog to death and dumped the body in some trees near his home.

";It was found by locals and upset local children who saw it. She had a laceration to her liver, blood in her abdomen and a stomach tear.

"It is likely that the dog did not survive for long."

'BLIND RAGE'

McLoughlin's defence team argued that he was under significant stress at the time due to being a carer for his ill father.

Defending, James Moore said: "This episode of blind rage is where stress has got the better of him.

"This is not just some violent thug who thinks it is okay to treat his own pet poorly."

During the hearing magistrate Martin Arthur told McLoughlin that sentencing options were "completely open" and that custody was "not off the table".

The case has now been adjourned until September 5.

McLoughlin's actions have also been slammed by animal rights group PETA who have called for him to be jailed.

Elisa Allen, Director of PETA, said: "The pain and fear that this puppy must have endured are almost unimaginable.

"We implore Poole Magistrates Court to give Mr McLoughlin the maximum sentence, including prison time, counselling, and a lifetime ban on keeping animals.

"Because repeat offences are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers – who often go on to harm humans – such acts must be treated with the utmost seriousness."