A man accused of buying stolen pit bull puppy “Hershey” appeared in Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Josef Smith, 25, of Warwick denied dishonestly receiving the chocolate-coloured dog, worth $1,800, knowing it had been stolen, sometime between October 21 and December 3.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner released Mr Smith on $2,000 bail and adjourned the trial until April 4.

Hershey hit the headlines earlier this month after he was recovered by police.

His owners were told by the Department of Environmental Protection that he had to be put down, because the pit bull breed is deemed illegal under current legislation.