MAGISTRATES have issued a warrant for the arrest of a Crewkerne man accused of mistreating his two dogs when he failed to turn up for a court hearing this week.

Johnathan Salisbury Payne, 61, of Ashlands Meadow, was ordered to appear before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil accused of an offence of animal cruelty in a prosecution being brought by the RSPCA.

It is alleged that between May 30 and June 22 at Crewkerne he did not take such steps as were reasonable to ensure that the needs of an Airdale Terrier called Sam and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dog known as Chip were met in that he failed to ensure they received an adequate diet.

The court was told that the defendant was also currently subject to a suspended prison sentence imposed by the court last year for an offence of battery on his elderly mother.

The magistrates agreed to issue a warrant for Payne’s arrest when he will be brought before the court at a future date to enter his plea.