AN RSPCA inspector has spoken of two instances of shocking animal cruelty in Waltham Forest.

Abid and Saeeda Hussain, of Webster Road, Leytonstone and Trevor Walker, of Lime Grove, Chingford, were all prosecuted for animal cruelty at Waltham Forest magistrates' court.

Walker, 39, was handed a three-year ban on keeping dogs after beating, kicking and strangling his Staffordshire bull terrier, Rosie.

He denied the charge but was also ordered to pay £750 in costs and given a curfew between 8pm and 8am.

Miss Avery said: “It happened in May this year, in Hatch Lane, near all the shops.

“It was witnessed by lots of people. There's always worse but it was bad enough that people were standing in the street, having a go at this guy.

She added the incident was so shocking that two people phoned police to report it.

She added: “I think it was just one of those impulsive acts. Staffies can put up with an awful lot but this was certainly bad enough to prosecute.”

The Hussains were handed a 10-year ban on keeping reptiles after their pet python was found dead at their home during a late-night police raid.

The incident happened on February 26 this year at the Hussains' address in Webster Road, and the snake was later found to have a chronic skin condition, which was left untreated.

Miss Avery said: “My colleague was called out in the middle of the night and she said it looked like the snake had been burnt.

“A post mortem showed it had a chronic skin condition. There was no way it could have been missed because of the smell of the skin.”

The Hussains were ordered to pay £317 in costs between them.