South Shields man to stand trial charged with having dangerously out of control dog which savaged ex-girlfriend's pet to death

Lee Emms, 31, of Cobbett Crescent, South Shields, denied the charge and one each of common assault and assault by beating when he appeared before borough magistrates.

Prosecutors allege he turned up at his former girlfriend’s home on June 6 with his ginger-white coloured Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which attacked one of two dogs kept in cages in the backyard.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told that Emms attempted to drag his dog off the other canine, which was later taken to a local vet but died.

Emms is also accused of assault by beating and common assault on the same day.

He will stand trial at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in South Shields in March next year.