A MAN has been banned from keeping pets for life after he was filmed battering dogs with a piece of wood.

Christopher Gorman also allowed a puppy to die in his care, and a second puppy had to be put down after it was found by investigators.

The 54-year-old unlicensed pet shop owner was found guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court of three charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act.

A passer-by saw Gorman repeatedly striking three dogs with wood in the rear garden of his home in Plains, North Lanarkshire, on June 3 2016.

READ MORE: Man arrested after three-hour stand off with armed police in Blantyre

The abuse was filmed and passed on to the Scottish SPCA, whose inspectors then searched the property.

They found the garden covered in faeces, and described the animals' living conditions as squalid and filthy.

Two mastiff puppies were also found lying under a radiator, with one already dead and the other very ill.

It later had to be put down, with a post mortem revealing it had died from canine parvovirus.

Gorman has now been banned for life from keeping animals, and was slapped with a £2,600 fine.

READ MORE: Man arrested after three-hour stand off with armed police in Blantyre

Sara Shaw, Head of the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit said: “I welcome the conviction and sentence of Christopher Gorman.

“This was a case of widespread and indiscriminate neglect and the dogs in Gorman’s care were caused terrible and unnecessary suffering with Gorman failing to provide them with a suitable environment or adequate care.

“We expect the highest standards of commercial dog breeders and are committed to working with the Scottish SPCA and the police to ensure that those who do not meet these standards are held to account.”