A man in Derry has pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog that was found partially buried before it was put down due to its injuries.
Peter Toland, of Cornshell Fields in Derry, also pleaded not guilty to three counts of failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of an animal.
A solicitor for the 29-year-old defendant asked for an adjournment at Thursday's hearing at Derry Magistrates Court in order for a date to be fixed for contest.
The dog, an American bull terrier named Luna, was found by a member of the public in Ballyarnett Country Park on March 15.
An earlier court hearing was told how the animal was found with multiple injuries and was unresponsive and emaciated.
The case was adjourned until August 12 and the defendant remains on bail.
