A COURT heard how inquiries will be made to establish whether a dog belonging to a 33-year-old is a banned pitbull terrier.

Michael Arundel, of Thorndyke Avenue, Middlesbrough, is accused of allowing the animal to be dangerously out of control in a public place.

Teesside Crown Court was told that it had not been definitely established if the dog was a pitbull of the banned type.

Mr Arundel, who did not enter a plea to the charges he faces, was bailed ahead of a further court hearing on June 20.