A Suffolk man charged with animal cruelty will appear back in court at the end of the month. 

Sam Staniland, 36, appeared before Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Friday, May 10, charged with six offences including duty to an animal's welfare, causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and cause or attempt to cause an animal fight. 

He denies all the offences during a hearing in December 2023.

The case was brought to the court by the RSPCA in relation to incidents that occurred between 2020 and 2023 in Hadleigh and St Osyth in Essex.

They say that Staniland had made two black lurcher dogs fight a badger in October 2020 which resulted in injuries to the animals.

Another badger was said to have been injured in his care in February 2021 followed by him allegedly making three Patterdale terrier dogs fight with foxes and badgers.

He has been further accused of making a foxhound fight a fox in 2022 and taking them to a specific place where they might fight. 

Finally, in 2023 he is said to have caused injuries to female Patterdale. 

The magistrates also gave him conditional bail and adjourned the case until May 31.