Dog strangling charges withdrawn

A man accused of strangling his family pet has walked free from court after charges against him were withdrawn.

Klaudiusz Maria Grzesiak of the Ballacannell Estate in Laxey appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas Courthouse on Christmas Eve.

The 46 year old had previously pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a cocker spaniel and criminal damage at his home on November 18.

Prosecutor Rebecca Cubbon told the court the main witness in the case, Mr Grzesiak’s wife, had retracted a statement she made to police about the incident.

She explained Manx law prevents people being compelled to testify against their spouse, and offered no evidence on both allegations.

Mrs Hughes marked the charges withdrawn and said because the evidence was retracted just days before the hearing she wouldn’t order costs against the prosecution.