Morpeth man in court accused of purposefully restraining deer while dogs mauled them to death
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA man has appeared in court accused of purposefully restraining deer with a lead while his dogs mauled them to death.
David Pringle is alleged to have hunted the deer on land in Morpeth in the early hours of the morning on two separate occasions in December 2023. The 21-year-old is then suspected of restraining the animals while dogs attacked them.
Pringle, of Second Avenue, in Morpeth, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court this week to face two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and one of taking a deer at night. The first charge read: "On December 14 2023, at Morpeth, caused unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a roe deer, by an act, namely had the deer restrained with a dog lead while letting it be attacked, and you knew or ought to have reasonably to have known that the act could have that effect or be likely to do so."
The second allegation read: "On December 21 2023, at Morpeth, caused unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a roe deer, by an act, namely held the deer by the hind leg allowing hounds to attack it, and you knew or ought reasonably to have known that the act would have that effect or likely to do so."
Pringle withheld his plea to all three allegations and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during the brief hearing. Bushra, Begum, prosecuting, said there was a co-accused in the case, who'd already been sent to the crown court.
Ms Begum said: "The Crown would submit that this is not suitable for summary trial. It's an offence, which had a starting point of two years in custody. That's obviously beyond your sentencing powers."
Magistrates agreed and declined jurisdiction. Pringle was released on unconditional bail to next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on November 20.
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