A cruel group of teenagers filmed a spate of horrendous animal attacks and shared them to TikTok.
The gang targeted animals on their council estate in Burnley, as well as wildlife in the area, in a campaign of 'extreme cruelty'.
In one shocking clip captured by a local resident, the group spurred on a dog to attack a cat - then left it for dead.
Other disgusting clips showed videos of dogs being used to attack and kill badgers, deer, rabbits and birds.
Some of the videos - including ones of dead deer and a vicious dog attack on a rabbit - were set to music and shared to TikTok.
Marcus Leverett, 19, Ryan Hancock, 18, and another teenager - who cannot be named due to his age - have now been sentenced in court for the vile attacks.
An investigation - named Operation Ratchet - was first launched by Lancashire Police in March last year.
Two boys were spotted on an estate in Burnley encourage a dog to attack a cat, the RSPCA said.
The cat, which was later identified as a pet called Gatsby, was rushed by his owners to the vet but he tragically died from his injuries on the way.
The cruel incident was filmed by a witness and passed to police.
Officers informed the RSPCA and the charity's Special Operations Unit (SOU) then became involved.
Police then carried out two raids on April 10 at houses in Burnley.
Mobile phones were seized which revealed pictures and videos of the animal attacks.
Two further warrants were then carried out as part of the investigation.
At one address - Ryan Hancock's - two lurcher-type dogs called Ace and Cassie were seized and taken into RSPCA care
A crossbreed, called Storm, was seized from Marcus Leverett’s home.
They were all later signed over so they could be rehomed.
Over the investigation, 182 videos of graphic cruelty to animals were found.
A vet who reviewed videos from the case said, in his report: “A number of pieces of video footage detail various events involving dogs, a cat and wildlife which raised concern for the welfare of the animals involved…
"In my opinion, a number of animals involved in this case have been caused to suffer.”
At Blackburn Magistrates' Court yesterday (Tuesday), Leverett, of Harold Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.
He was sentenced to 12 weeks custody suspended for 18 months.
He was ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and was disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years.
Hancock, of Prestwich Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to 11 offences under the Animal Welfare Act and Protection of Badgers Act.
He was jailed for 18 weeks in prison and was disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years.
The third teenager was sentenced in youth court after pleading guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act and two under the Protection of Badgers Act.
He was handed a 12-month referral order and was disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.
His family was also ordered to pay £500 costs plus a £22 victim surcharge.
The prosecutor told the court that the level of offending was ‘off the scale’.
After the sentencing, RSPCA SOU officer Jason Bowles, who led the investigation, said: "This group of lads was targeting animals on the council estate they lived on as well as wildlife in the surrounding area.
"We found awful footage on their mobile phones that showed extreme cruelty to animals.
"Many of the photos and videos had been set to music and edited for sharing online.
"Not only did the animals they attacked and killed suffer, but their own dogs also suffered from injuries in the confrontations and fights."
Jason added: "If anyone notices dogs, such as terriers and lurchers, suffering recurring injuries like cuts and wounds around the face, then we’d ask them to contact the police or RSPCA to report their concerns."
PC Matt Hartup, part of the Lancashire Police Rural Task Force in the East of the county, said: "This operation – known as Op Ratchet – shows how closely we work in partnership with other agencies to tackle all sorts of crime, and bring offenders to justice.
"The glamorisation of this type of violence is barbaric and serves no purpose in the countryside; it promotes horrendous suffering and abuse of animals – including the lack of concern for the welfare of the dogs used for these crimes.
"We hope the court results over the last two days sends a strong message to those looking to commit crime in Lancashire, that it will not be tolerated and it will be acted upon.
"We would like to thank the community for bringing it to our attention so promptly, and it’s good news to know the dogs have been safely rehomed.
"We would encourage anyone who may be witness to, or have information about this sort of crime, to report it to us online at www.lancashire.police.uk or via the RSPCA by calling 0300 1234 999.
"Our thanks go to the officer from the RSPCA for their tenacity in working with us on this case to bring these offenders to justice, and we will continue to act on information provided to us to safeguard our rural communities."
