A man who has denied strangling a family dog has been granted bail.

Klaudiusz Maria Grzesiak, of Ballacannell Estate, Laxey, had previously been refused bail by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes.

Mrs Hughes granted bail on Tuesday after the court heard that the 45-year-old had put forward an available address in St John’s where he could reside.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon asked for a condition to be included in the bail that prohibited Mr Grzesiak from entering the address in Laxey and for alcohol-related restrictions as the offence was alleged to involve alcohol.

Ms Cubbon said that his wife had however said that she wanted to maintain contact with him and that there may be a retraction statement.

Strangled

We previously reported how the red cocker spaniel named Milka was found dead in a children’s shed in the garden of the family’s home in Laxey 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 post mortem 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 that Mrs Grzesiak had received text messages about the dog after a verbal altercation with her husband the day before the dog was found dead.

Bail was granted in the sum of £500, with a condition to reside at the St John’s address, not to enter licensed premises, not to purchase or consume alcohol in public, not to enter the address in Laxey, and not to leave the island without court permission.

A pre-trial review is scheduled for December 24.