A TEENAGER will argue for the life of his dog after denying multiple charges of keeping a fighting dog and letting it roam free in Swindon.

A trial date has now been set, in which it will be determined whether Mateusz Krych’s dog is a dangerous breed.

He is charged with having custody of a pitbull terrier, a breed covered under the Dangerous Dogs Act and often bred for fighting.

Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday that the dog had been taken into the care of a vet while proceedings continued, and their opinion was that it was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Krych is also charged with allowing the dog to be loose without a leash or a muzzle outside the Co-op store in Gorse Hill, on March 24, which was in breach of conditions imposed to ensure the animal was safe.

There is no suggestion the dog had attacked or harmed any other animal or member of the public.

The trial will now establish the true breed of the dog and, if Krych is found guilty, the dog could face a destruction order for being let loose in a public place.

Krych, wearing jeans and a blue T-shirt, spoke only to confirm his name and address before shaking his head and confirming not guilty pleas to all counts.

The 18-year-old, of Westminster Road, Toothill, will now have his case heard after the summer.

Experts will be called from both the defence and the prosecution to establish whether the dog is a dangerous breed.

Alex Daymond, defending, told the court: “The defence will call an expert, but we have not yet had time to locate one.

“I know that the vet who currently has care of the dog has designated it a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.”

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, said: “This is to be listed for trial and he is on summons, so will be on unconditional bail going to trial.

“It would appear that we have statements that can be read, but we will otherwise be calling PC Duffy, who is a Wiltshire Police dog expert.”

Krych was released on unconditional bail, to appear at Chippenham Magistrates’ Court on September 15.