A man is due to stand trial for 11 offences involving animals, including an incident that resulted in a dead pig earlier this year.

Police were called to reports of an animal in distress at a field off Elstree Hill South, near Elstree Hill roundabout on January 16.

At the time, officers found a pig which they believed had suffered multiple stab wounds, and it later died.

Now police believe that the injuries were allegedly caused by a dog.

Humza Saleem, 23, from Belgrave Road in Hounslow, will appear in court on October 5 in connection with a charge of possessing extreme images.

A separate trial will take place in connection with the ten remaining offences, with the next hearing due to take place on January 11, 2022.

He appeared at St Albans Magistrates’ Court yesterday (June 24), and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

These include two counts of causing an animal fight to take place, two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, four counts of keeping an animal for use in connection with animal fights, criminal damage, possessing a fighting dog and possessing extreme images.

Saleem has been released on conditional bail.

He was placed under investigation after the Elstree pig attack, and police say that a string of other “distressing animal cruelty and welfare offences” were found.

A warrant was executed at his address on Wednesday (June 23), and he was placed under arrest.