A 22-year-old man has been jailed after he was caught on CCTV viciously attacking a Staffordshire Bull Terrier on a train in Essex.

East Anglian Daily Times: CCTV images of Kieran Milledge who attacked a dog on a Braintree to Witham train service on October 10.CCTV images of Kieran Milledge who attacked a dog on a Braintree to Witham train service on October 10. (Image: Archant)

Kieran Milledge, of no fixed address, swung his dog Ronnie by the lead and smashed him into the side of the train carriage before pushing his foot against the dog’s face.

British Transport Police confirmed Ronnie died a few days after the attack.

Today, at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, Milledge pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months for possession of a bladed article, 21 weeks for animal cruelty, eight weeks for a breached suspended sentence and was given an indefinite ban from keeping animals.

The animal cruelty sentence will run concurrently with the other sentences meaning he will spend the next eight months behind bars.

East Anglian Daily Times: CCTV images of Kieran Milledge who attacked a dog on a Braintree to Witham train service on October 10.CCTV images of Kieran Milledge who attacked a dog on a Braintree to Witham train service on October 10. (Image: Archant)

Milledge was on a Greater Anglia train between Braintree and Witham on Monday October 10 when, at around 10.30pm, he began violently abusing his dog.

During the attack the dog emptied its bowels, leading staff to check CCTV to see what had happened.

British Transport Police released the CCTV images on Wednesday and thanks to ‘phenomenal interest’ from the public and shares through social media, Milledge was quickly identified and arrested.

Police Sergeant Steven Maguire from British Transport Police, said: “I welcome today’s sentence as it has taken a violent dog abuser off the streets.

“Milledge’s cruel beating of his dog was simply inexcusable and I am pleased that he now has an indefinite ban from keeping animals.

“Thanks to the overwhelming support of the public, we were able to identify Milledge quickly and bring him before the courts.

“He is now behind bars and I hope he spends his time in prison reflecting on the cruel way he abused his dog, Ronnie.

“I’d like to thank the public and the media for their support – clearly they were as horrified as we were by Milledge’s actions and I hope they are satisfied that he has been brought to justice.”