Puppy killer Nathan Thompson was handed a lifetime ban on animal ownership on Thursday.
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He appeared in Newcastle Local Court where there was heavy security and the case was closed to the public.
Thompson, 25, pleaded guilty to nine charges including aggravated animal cruelty, serious animal cruelty and resist arrest, in relation to the brutal deaths of nine puppies at Kurri Kurri.
Magistrate Ian Cheetham extended a 10-year animal ownership ban to a lifetime ban and adjourned sentencing to May 9 at Newcastle Local Court.
The charges came off the back of an RSPCA investigation and public appeal.
A man walking his dogs earlier this month, witnessed a man on the side of the road in Kurri Kurri, bludgeoning several bull Arab puppies to death.
Following the witness report the RSPCA appealed for public information to help find the offender and charges were laid against Thompson on March 12.
During the swift court appearance yesterday the prosecution confirmed the case had been moved from East Maitland to Newcastle because of security concerns, a sentiment animal rights activist Callie Redman already voiced .
Ms Redman organised Wednesday's rally where protesters called for Thompson to receive the maximum penalty.
The rally was originally set for Thompson's court appearance, but the court date had been brought forward.
Ms Redman believed the courts were trying to throw the public off the scent, after widespread outrage caused a social media storm following the incident.
She was cynical of the lifetime ban and said her group of animal activists would continue their fight for stricter animal abuse laws.
"Whose going to police that ban," she said.
"No one can police that, it's not good enough."
Animal right activist Samantha Maslen from Raymond Terrace was one of many people to turn up and wait outside the courthouse yesterday.
"I think it's horrendous that something like this can happen," she said.
"There is so much opportunity to humanely get rid of puppies. The lifetime sentence is a step up but it's not enough"
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