Child acting out toward dog

My 8 year old son has been award a dog for his past schol year.... Now that the puppy has been in our home over 2 months he is starting to act out towards the puppy.  i have caught my son trying to hit the dog with a sledge hammer and then today my husband caught him trying to pick the dog up with the leash, hanging him over and over.  Just wondering if this might be in any way normal for a only child that is around 8 years old, and what i can do to stop this behavior.

[penswriter]

that is most certainly NOT normal. I would HIGHLY advice rehoming the puppy immediately!! Other wise next time, the pup may end up dead. And get your son into some sort of therapy ASAP.

[margypops]

Your child should be supervised at all times around this dog, if he continues get a home for the animal. .

[allmymarbles]

I agree with penswriter. Animal abuse is often a prelude to more serious abuse. In any case I would not keep the dog.

[SeriousSam]

I would consider counseling.  What is going on in your child's life?   This type of behavior is often, though not always tied with a child feeling frustrated or angry at himself or others.  Is he bullied?  How well does he get along with teachers?  Babysitter etc.

[benjimom]

Yes, get him into some counseling and also keep the dog in a supervised place when he is with your son.