Calling for the maximum sentence and for the law to be changed to allow sentencing to mirror the severity of the crime.

Andrew Summerfield shot his dog 10 times with an air rifle, slashed his face with a meat cleaver, then left him for dead on a roadside with a noose round his neck, a court heard. Vets were forced to put down bull terrier Barney because his injuries were so severe but they traced owner Andrew Summerfield, 43, through the animal’s microchip. Summerfield told them he had sold the pet before it was found by a passing motorist last July. But he eventually changed his story, admitting he had attacked the animal – but only in self-defence while ­apparently out hunting rabbits. The RSPCA, which hasn’t released images of the “graphic injuries”, said it was among the worst cases of cruelty it had seen in many years. A spokesman added: “This dog was subjected to a ­horrendously brutal attack, then dumped by the roadside. You cannot imagine the suffering it went through.” It also rubbished Summerfield’s claims of self-defence, saying experts’ tests had shown that it would have taken him around 150 seconds to discharge 10 rounds while reloading. Andrew Summerfield appears at Colchester Magistrates at 12 midday on 11th July 2012. Please sign the petition so it can be sent prior to conviction to show the public are not going to tolerate light sentences for this kind of heinous crime towards defenceless animals anymore.