A TRIAL date has been set down for the Alloa man accused of stamping on a six-week-old puppy, which then had to be put to sleep.

Michael Murray appeared from custody at Alloa Sheriff Court last Wednesday, charged with the offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

It is alleged that on November 26, at his address on Maple Court, he did cause "unnecessary suffering" to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dog, aged between six and ten weeks old.

The papers accuse the 25-year-old of stamping on the puppy, kicking it on the body to its severe injury, resulting in the dog having to be euthanised".

Murray pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail until his court date in March next year.