A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man accused of repeatedly swinging a puppy on its lead against a lamppost.

Trevor Peacock, 50, is also alleged to have swung the 12-week-old dog, a female Jack Russell called Askit, against the pavement in Rosyth.

The sheriff at Dunfermline Sheriff Court issued a warrant for Peacock's arrest after he failed to appear to answer the charges.

Mr Peacock, of Elder Place, Rosyth, denies a single charge that on September 7, 2010 at Junction Park Road and Pinkerton Place, he "did by an act cause to a protected animal, namely Askit, a 12-week-old female Jack Russell terrier, unnecessary suffering".

It is alleged that Mr Peacock, "swung the dog through the air on the end of its lead, repeatedly striking it on the pavement and on a lamp post, all to its injury".

The charge further states that he "knew or ought reasonably to have known that said act would have caused suffering or be likely to do so".

Sheriff Ian Dunbar said on Thursday: "Mr Peacock appears to have been properly served, and I will issue a warrant to apprehend."