A Kelso man who denies releasing a live fox from a sack to be pursued by foxhounds will stand trial on August 5.
John Cook, 53, of Main House Lodge, pleaded not guilty to the offence which is alleged to have been committed at woodland at Rink Farm, Galashiels, on November 19 last year. He also denies causing an animal fight to take place there and releasing a live fox from a sack in the presence of two foxhounds which held it at bay before attacking and killing it, along with the remainder of the hound pack.
Cook further denied deliberately hunting a wild mammal.