A GLEN INNES man was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment on Monday for decapitating a puppy owned by his developmentally-disabled neighbour.

Andrew John Wren, 32, was sentenced to a non-parole period seven months appeared when he appeared before Magistrate Stafford in Armidale Local Court.

Wren pleaded guilty to eight charges in November.

The most serious charge related to the aggravated cruelty of the dog while others included enter dwelling with intent to commit indictable offence and resisting an officer in the execution of duty.

On September 13 at 10.30pm, Wren forced his way into the home of his developmentally-disabled neighbour before snatching the puppy, taking it outside and chopping off its head with a shovel. 

Two senior police officers arrived to find the body of the dog on Wren's unit's front doorstep.

The officers moved into the backyard where Wren was armed with the shovel he used to kill the dog and a pair of block-splitters.

Wren challenged the officers but later complied with their requests and dropped the weapons.

He was arrested just before 11pm, after a short struggle with the police, and appeared at Armidale Local Court early the next day where he was refused bail.

Wren remained in custody throughout subsequent court appearances.

Due to the time he has already served, Wren could be eligible for parole release by April 12, 2013.