A MAN who was jailed for slitting the throat of his wife’s puppy has had his prison sentence reduced by three weeks.

Robert Humphries, 40, of Roman Road, Taunton, had been sentenced by magistrates to 20 weeks in prison and banned from keeping animals after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

However, after an appeal at Bristol Crown Court on December 23, lawyers acting for Humphries argued successfully that the sentence was too harsh and a judge agreed to reduce it to 17 weeks.

At an earlier hearing, Taunton Deane Magistrates were told Humphries attacked the six-month-old black lurcher, named Shadow, on June 28 after claiming it attacked his young daughter.

The court was told Humphries went to the Taunton branch of Pets at Home to inquire about having the dog put down and intended to take it in to them when Shadow allegedly slipped her lead and attacked him.

Humphries slit the dog’s throat with a kitchen knife before stabbing it and leaving it to bleed out.

Humphries, who previously worked in an abattoir, was banned from keeping animals for life and cannot appeal against the decision for five years.

His lawyer had said he “didn’t set out to cause the animal pain”, had co-operated in the investigation into the case and had shown “remorse” over his actions.

Speaking after the appeal hearing, an RSPCA spokesman said: “We’re pleased that the court has continued to recognise that this offence was so serious a custodial sentence is still relevant.

“Also, it’s good news that the lifetime ban on owning animals has remained, which means other animals won’t be put in danger.”