David August Pischke appeared in Inverell Local Court yesterday for the first time since he was charged with two offences in October.

The charges stem from an alleged incident after he discovered an American bulldog on his property about 7am on October 4.

New England police will allege in court that Pischke used a shovel and a hammer to strike the dog multiple times to the head.

The dog died at the scene.

Police were alerted to the incident and launched an investigation, before the owner of the animal was identified and alerted.

Following an investigation by police, Pischke was questioned by investigators and was charged by a court summons at Inverell Police Station on October 9.

Yesterday, the 45-year-old pleaded not guilty to one count of torturing or beating and causing the death of animal, as well as one charge of committing an act of aggravated cruelty on an animal.

Magistrate Michael O’Brien has adjourned the case to January.