A teenager slashed his dog's throat when he was banned from keeping the animal at home.

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, took the dog to fields and cut a 3in gash in its throat with a penknife.

The dog managed to slip its collar and ran howling back home to the block of flats in Mid Sussex, blood dripping from its throat.

At Haywards Heath Youth Court yesterday the youth pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering.

He also admitted failing to seek veterinary treatment for injuries the dog had sustained rabbiting the week before.

David Buck, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said the teenager and his father had been told to rehome the dog because pets were not allowed in their housing association-owned block.

Mr Buck said: "He came out of the building with the dog on a lead and walked to the rear of the flats.

"Ten minutes later the caretaker noticed the dog had come back on its own. It was bleeding heavily and was clearly injured.

"Another resident looked after the dog while a vet ambulance was called. She said the dog was howling, in pain and plainly shaking.

"The defendant said, 'Now I have done the dog I will do someone else'."

Mr Buck told the court the dog had undergone surgery and was recovering.

He said the teenager had said he did it because "if he could not have the dog, then no one else would have the satisfaction of owning her."

The boy, who attended court with his parents and did not have legal representation, said nothing in his defence.

Chairman of the bench Geoff Foxlade ordered him to pay £100 costs and £100 compensation.

He was sentenced to an 11-month referral order, which means he will sign a contract not to reoffend.

If he breaks the order he will be taken back to court and could face custody.

The youth was also banned from keeping animals for ten years.

Mr Foxlade told him: "This was a cruel and cowardly act but because of your age we are limited as to what we can sentence you to."

After the hearing, RSPCA chief inspector Carroll Lamport said: "This was a deliberate act of total brutality.

"We would like to hear from anyone who can offer this dog a good home."