A MAN has appeared in court after being charged with animal cruelty by performing a sex act on a dog.

Jayden Bruton, 19, from Newport is accused of causing unnecessary suffering to the animal by allegedly being “observed on a video clip masturbating a dog’s penis in front of others”.

The prosecution claims this happened in the city in August 16 last year.

Bruton, of no fixed abode, did not enter a plea after appearing at Newport Magistrates' Court.

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The defendant is due to appear before the crown court on February 27.

He was granted unconditional bail.