The case against a man accused of strangling a pet dog to death has been dropped.

Klaudiusz Grzesiak, 45, had denied charges of criminal damage to a dog and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

But High Bailiff Jayne Hughes formally dismissed the charges at a hearing on Christmas Eve after the main prosecution witness - his wife - retracted her statement.

The body of red cocker spaniel Milka was found in a shed in the garden of the family’s home in the Ballacannell estate, Laxey, on November 19.

A post mortem carried out on the dog confirmed the cause of death was strangulation to the front of the neck.

There were also injuries consistent with trauma to the dog’s back.

Prosecution advocate Rebecca Cubbon said by law she was prevented from compelling Mrs Grzesiak to give evidence against her husband - and therefore the prosecution could offer no evidence on both counts.

Mrs Hughes told Mr Grzesiak no further action would be taken against him, and formally dismissed both of the charges.