AN ex-miner who committed a "despicable attack on a defenceless puppy" has been banned for life from keeping any domestic animal.

But defence solicitor Basharat Ditta, who described his client as a dog lover, immediately lodged an appeal against conviction, after telling Blackburn magistrates that David Pickup was a lonely man who only had animals left in his life.

Pickup, 52, of Cherry Tree Lodge, Islington, Blackburn, was convicted in his absence of cruelty to the dog and being drunk and disorderly.

The court had been told how police officer Catherine Kirkwood, called to the incident in August 2001, had taken the puppy home with her. Now called Rosie, the dog still lives with the officer who said she had recovered from her ordeal and was a 'lovely animal.'

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said the incident had taken place in Penny Street, Blackburn, where the three-month-old pup was punched in the face, kicked and stamped on by Pickup who flew into a drunken rage as he tried to get the animal on a bus.

The court heard that Pickup punched the dog and kicked it before throwing it on. Robin Stevens, who was working in the pawnbrokers shop next to the bus stop on Penny Street, ran on to the bus and saw Pickup stamp on the pup. When he challenged Pickup he was met with foul mouthed abuse.

Veterinary nurse Jane Parker was on the bus and told how Pickup threw the puppy under a seat before standing on it "like he was stubbing out a cigarette".

Mr Ditta said Pickup, a miner for 27 years, had started to drink and accepted that on occasions he drinks to excess.

As well as the ban, Pickup was fined £300 with £55 costs for what the chairman described as a "despicable attack on a defenceless animal."