A BUILDER who inhumanely slaughtered a pig for food has been convicted of animal cruelty.
Ricky Clarkson, of Bradmore Way, Coulsdon, killed the ginger Tamworth sow in his back yard, Bromley Magistrates' Court heard.
The 48-year-old was convicted of illegal slaughter, causing unnecessary suffering to and failing to get treatment for an animal in his care.
RSPCA inspector Kate Fletcher said: "This poor pig would have suffered terribly. There is no excuse for this."
Clarkson was banned from keeping pigs and chickens for 12 months and ordered to pay a fine of £1,165.
He had chopped parts of the pig stored in his freezer when the RSPCA visited in May after being called by a neighbour, the court heard.
He told the inspector he had driven a nail through the pig's head, but later changed his story to say he had slit its throat.
Mr Clarkson said he planned to eat the pig meat.
RSPCA officers also found another ginger Tamworth sow in the garden), who was taken into RSPCA care.
