A CREWKERNE man has been ordered to stand trial in the New Year accused of neglecting his two pet dogs.

Jonathan Salisbury Payne is alleged to have ignored repeated warnings and advice from an RSPCA inspector, vets and the police saying he did not provide them with an adequate water supply and diet.

The 61-year-old defendant, of Ashlands Meadow, appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates, sitting at Yeovil.

He denied a charge 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 animal for which he was responsible, namely an Airedale Terrier known as Sam and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dog known as Chip, were met to the extent required by good practice in that he failed to ensure that they received an adequate diet.

Prosecutor Matthew Knight said that the case related to two dogs owned by the defendant who was given warning notices following four visits by an RSPCA inspector.

He claimed that the two animals lost weight during the course of the investigation and said that Payne was accused of failing to take the most basic of steps in relation to them.

He allegedly ignored repeated warnings and advice given by the inspector, vets and the police about giving the dogs adequate access to water and an adequate diet.

Defending solicitor Greg Peters said that Payne was adamant that he had not neglected the animals.

A pre-trial review was conducted and the case was adjourned for Payne to return to the court on March 16 when a trial will take place.

In the meantime he was released on unconditional bail.