Thomas Sorahan and Adriano Larobina, both 26, maintained their innocence despite being found guilty in September this year.

The court saw video evidence of up to four men torturing a ferret, which was owned by Mr Sorahan's former Jerrabomberra housemate, Andrew Bell.

The video showed one of the ferrets named Trigger being injected with a syringe.

In photographs, Trigger's leg appeared to be in an ``unnatural position'' and looked to be broken or dislocated.

As Trigger is being injected, a voice in the video, identified as Mr Larobina can be heard saying ``he loves it _ he'll be pinging in no time.''

Of the several different voices heard in the video, only Mr Sorahan and Mr Larobina have been apprehended.

The court concluded the ferret was in obvious pain and distress. Neither of the ferret's have ever been seen again.

Mr Bell told the court he had returned home from work on a Monday in May 2007, to find his pet ferrets missing, the garage floor wet and the house smelling like ferret.

He said Mr Sorahan arrived home a Leg 1short time later ``completely drunk'' with a camera in his hand.

After Mr Sorahan had ``passed out'', Mr Bell examined the footage on the camera and was devastated at what he saw.

The guilt pair had attended a wedding in Sydney on the Saturday night with Mr Bell and had continued to drink for three days.

While Magistrate Bryan Van Zuylen read out the details of the video and photographic evidence, several animal activists who were present openly wept.

Magistrate Van Zuylen suggested the pair felt no remorse.

``The court is satisfied that the photos and video showed torture and cruelty to these animals,'' he said.

``Bearing in mind the nature of the photographs, the pain that must have been inflicted on the white ferret in particular, the court has come to the conclusion that only a full-time custodial sentence is appropriate.''

Both men have launched an appeal and are currently free on bail. A hearing at the District Court will go ahead at a time yet to be organised.

The custodial sentence has been welcomed by the RSPCA.``This represents a breakthrough for RSPCA ACT in fighting for appropriate punishment for animal cruelty,'' RSPCA ACT CEO, Michael Linke said.``I can only hope that this firm stand will act as a deterrent to others.''