Derry man to contest animal cruelty charge

A man charged with animal cruelty will contest his case at Derry Magistrate's Court on September 7.

Peter Toland (29) of Cornshell Fields in Derry has been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to an American Bull Terrier dog on March 15 this year.

He also faces 4 charges of failing to take reasonable steps to ensure animal welfare was met on the same date.

At today's hearing a defence barrister Eoghan Devlin said that there would be a contest on the papers and it was expected to last between 45 minutes to one hour. 

A date for the contest was fixed for September 7 and Toland remains on continuing bail.