AN arrest warrant has been issued for a Chester man found to have caused unnecessary suffering to a dog.

Colin Charles Michael Edwards, 33, whose most recent address was given as Watergate Street, did not turn up to Chester Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 29 to answer the charge.

The case was therefore heard and proved in his absence.

Prosecuting, Alan Currums told the court it was after 8pm on July 14 when police were called to a report a man had stabbed a dog and the dog was dying.

Officers arrived at the scene where, inside a canal boat moored near the Iceland store at Frodsham, there was a dog which was losing blood.

Upon closer inspection, and with the help of a vet from ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists, it was noted the dog did not have a stab wound but did have an untreated abscess on its head which had been there for several days, and had dried blood on its leg.

There was a dog bowl for water which was empty.

Edwards was located at 8.45pm and arrested. In police interview, Edwards said he had not taken the dog to a vet as he believed it was a dangerous dog.

In evidence, a vet had identified the dog as a 40kg bullmastiff cross-type – which is not listed as a dangerous dog breed in UK Government law.

Mr Currums added the vet had taken the dog to the veterinary centre where it immediately had two bowls of water and efforts were made to clean the abscess wound.

The dog found the process painful so this procedure was then done with the dog sedated.

The wound was chronic and at least five days old, with evidence of skin trauma.

Its pads were worn and claws short, indicating it had either been walked frequently or was on hard surfaces.

It was slightly underweight but this was not a concern, and was placed on antibiotics as it recovered from the abscess.

The vet's report concluded the dog, which had been microchipped, was likely to be left with some permanent swelling, but this was unlikely to cause any lasting pain.

It was noted the dog should have been taken to the vet in the condition it had been in.

With the case of unnecessary suffering to a dog proven, magistrates ordered an arrest warrant for Edwards so he could be sentenced.