Vile brute allows puppies to attack duck in garden before wringing its neck

A man watched on in horror as his brutish neighbour allowed three puppies to kill a duck.

The man had been working from home on June 30 last year and was using his bathroom when he looked out of his window and saw his neighbour Nathan Scotting allowing the animals to attack the duck in his garden. Scotting, 22, was even seen "baiting" with the duck.

Prosecutor Harry Crowson told Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, November 29: "He recorded the incident and that shows a living duck and what appeared to be three of the dogs. The duck was being attacked by the three dogs and it seems he [Scotting] goes and shakes the duck in the dogs faces, as if to bait them."

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The court heard the man had to stop recording to take a work call but saw Scotting with the duck, which by that point was dead.

Scotting, it was said, claimed up until the day of his trial that the duck was dead all of the way through the incident. He went on to admit causing or allowing an animal fight to take place and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Mr Crowson added that after a report, the RSPCA visited Scotting's home where it was found he had "lots of dogs," a ferret and its litter, and a hen. The deceased duck was also found at his home.

All of the dogs at his property were seized. The court heard he was the owner of just three of them - including two named Hope and Jet.

Mitigating, Francis Edusei told the court: "What he will say is the three puppies attacking the duck are puppies and managed to get into the enclosure...The commotion they caused caused him to come out and he stood there and watched as they attacked the duck. That is something he shouldn't have done.

"Eventually, he climbs into the cage area and he dispatches the duck. This is a man who tells me he has had dogs for most of his adult life. He has a list of previous convictions but they don't include anything for animal cruelty."

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It was said dad-of-three Scotting is already serving a sentence at HMP Doncaster and is due for release in July next year. Mr Edusei said: "While in custody he is working and hopes to improve his maths and English as well."

Recorder Stubbs jailed Scotting for 26 weeks and told him: "I accept you broke its [the duck's] neck in order to put it out of its misery...You appear not to accept the role you carried out."

The judge also disqualified Scotting from keeping and owning dogs or participating in keeping or dealing or transporting or arranging the transport of dogs. Scotting cannot apply for that order to be lifted for a year.