A man has denied illegally cropping the ears of seven bully dogs in Southampton.

Seyed Hussain Alavizadeh appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to eight charges.

He denies seven allegations of carrying out a prohibited procedure on a protected animal between December 28, 2021 and March 18, 2022.

This relates to seven bully-type dogs called Bora, RZA, Mr T or Tank, Nala, Ice Berg, Ghost and Mooncake.

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The 40-year-old of Laburnum Road, Southampton, also pleaded not guilty to intentionally obstructing a person - namely an RSPCA worker - exercising a section 18 power relating to an animal in distress, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

This is alleged to have taken place on May 18 last year.

Alavizadeh was released on unconditional bail to appear at Southampton Crown Court on March 28 in relation to the ear cropping charges.

He is due to appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court on April 18 regarding the obstruction of the RSPCA worker.

Magistrates will also hear two applications in relation to 13 Bullbreed dogs taken under the Animal Welfare Act.

They are called Bora, Ziba, Chad, Rita, Pam, Sandy, George, and Ziba's offspring - named Hades, Mirabelle, Juliet, Gus, Bryson and Tank.