3rd June 2023

A MAN has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a chicken by releasing dogs on it.

Sonny-Joe Barney, 20, was issued with a postal requisition in relation to the incident which took place on July 7 last year.

Barney pleaded guilty to a single count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal in Dorset.

He entered this plea at a Poole Magistrates’ Court hearing on Wednesday, May 31.

Sonny-Joe Barney, of Summer Fields, Verwood, was remanded on conditional bail, with a report to be prepared by the Probation Service ahead of a sentencing hearing which is due to take place at the same court on Tuesday, June 27.

Conditions of his bail included that he must not keep, deal in or transport dogs and chickens, and not aid or be a party to any such activity.

As reported, police investigating hare coursing were shown evidence…