A trial date has been set for a restaurateur accused of causing unnecessary suffering to his pet dogs. 

Ediz Hastulc was wanted by the court and police after he failed to appear at Thames Magistrates Court on October 20. 

The 41-year-old director of Cyprus Gardens - a Turkish bar and meze grill along the A406 in Southend Road, Chingford, appeared in court on Tuesday. 

He faces one count of failing to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering to an animal after his two Rottweiler dogs were injured through the illegal practice known as 'docking'. 

Hastulc denies tying a rubber band around the tails of the young dogs between April 5 and 10 of this year. 

According to lead prosecutor Mark Jones of the RSPCA, one of the dogs had lost its tail and the other was about to lose its tail.

Both dogs are now in foster care pending the outcome of the case. 

Anyone found guilty of unlawful docking could face up to six months in jail and a fine of £20,000.  

Hastulc has been released on unconditional bail to re-appear at Thames Magistrates Court for trial on January 5.