A 45-year-old man has denied strangling a dog to death.

Klaudiusz Maria Grzesiak, of Ballacannell Estate, Laxey, pleaded not guilty to destroying property, namely a dog, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

A pre-trial review will be held on December 24.

Mr Grzesiak appeared in court last Friday after a red cocker spaniel named Milka was found dead in a children’s shed in the garden of the family home on November 19.

Milka, who was three-and-a-half-years-old, was found in the shed by Mr Grzesiak’s wife after the pet went missing.

The dog was wrapped in clear plastic and a black bag.

A postmortem examination confirmed the cause of death as strangulation to the front of the neck and injuries consistent with trauma were found on the dog’s back.

A further report is awaited.

It is alleged Mrs Grzesiak received text messages about the dog after a verbal altercation with her husband the day before the dog was found.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes accepted jurisdiction meaning the trial will be held in summary court. Mr Grzesiak was remanded in custody.