A dock worker from Penryn who stabbed his family's pet dog to death following an argument has been sentenced to 18 weeks in prison.

Anthony Cockrell, aged 51, of Little Oaks, was told by magistrates in Truro that the sentence would have been 26 weeks had it not been for his early guilty plea.

Cockrell used a knife to stab springer spaniel Ozzy on May 31 this year. The court heard how he had been out drinking with his wife and a family argument with his wife and teenage sons ensued when they returned home. During the argument Ozzy put Cockrell up against the wall and in “30 seconds of madness” he went into the kitchen grabbed a knife and after the dog bit him on the hand, he stabbed the dog several times.

Chairman John Chandler said: “This was a horrendous crime committed here and the offence is too serious for any other sentence except immediate custody.

“You were in a position of responsibility because you were head of the family. There were children present during this horrendous crime. You used a weapon and the death of the dog ensued.”

Cockrell was also banned from keeping animals for life.

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