A MAN HAS appeared in court on an animal cruelty charge for endangering the life of a “small black kitten” in Dublin.

Gheorghe Negoita, 44, of Belgard Road, Tallaght, appeared before Judge Stephanie Coggans today.

Bridewell Garda Aine McQuillan told the judge she had charged him earlier this month with an offence under section 12 of the Animal, Health and Welfare Act.

The charge alleges that an incident took place on 11 October, 2022, at central Dublin’s North King Street and that he endangered “the life of a small black kitten”.

The waste collection worker has yet to indicate a plea and will be granted legal aid once he provides a statement of his means.

Garda McQuillan told Dublin District Court that the defendant, who listened to the proceedings with the help of a Romanian interpreter, “was given a true copy of the charge sheet and made no reply to charge”.

The officer applied to the court to impose a bail term that required him not to have “any protected animal in his care.”

But his solicitor objected because the accused had already been allowed bail without conditions when he was charged at a Garda station earlier this month.

Judge Coggans agreed that he was on “station bail” and she did not impose additional conditions but ordered the accused to appear again in April.

No facts relating to the alleged incident were outlined during the brief hearing.

A conviction under the animal cruelty laws at the District Court level, the offence can attract a maximum six-month sentence and a €5,000 fine. The Circuit Court can impose harsher penalties.

Prosecution for the offence can also result in an individual being banned from having an animal in their care.