Lee Ellis, 55, appeared in court on Wednesday to deny charges of manslaughter and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, which resulted in death. The incident occurred on August 15 on the old train line footpath off Blacker Lane in Wakefield.
James Judge, also 55, died from his injuries at Leeds General Infirmary. The court heard that the altercation between Judge and Ellis was over a right of way on the footpath. A post-mortem examination indicated the provisional cause of death was complications from a dog bite to the back of the right knee.
Ellis, a self-employed farrier who has lived in the area for 30 years, was granted bail. His trial is scheduled to begin on May 17 at Leeds Crown Court, with a further pre-trial hearing set for April 15.
Police were called to the scene on August 15, reporting that a man had been bitten by a dog following a dispute. Mr Judge was taken to the hospital in critical condition and passed away later that evening. The dog involved in the incident was seized by police. Detectives have since identified and spoken with individuals who stopped to assist Mr Judge at the scene. Mr Judge's family is being supported by specially trained officers.