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17

Mar

Last Updated: 17/03/2025
Crime
Crime

Man appears in court accused of dog shovel attack on Harrogate rail line

by Nick Towle

| 17 Mar, 2025
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Photograph: Wikimedia Commons, Mtaylor848

A Network Rail employee has appeared in court charged with striking a dog over the head with a shovel on the Harrogate rail line.

Chris Williams, 38, appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court today (March 17) when he denied causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a dog, by hitting it over the head with a shovel at Wescoe Hill Tunnel.

The alleged incident is said to have occurred on July 14 last year.

District judge Timothy Capstick adjourned the case for a trial at the same court on April 14.

Mr Williams, of Rigton Hill, North Rigton, Leeds, was granted bail until that date.