A puppy was struck by a car in the Maghera area in the early hours of Sunday (19 May).
The dog has yet to be found.
It’s believed to have been seriously injured during this collision.
Police say sometime between 3am and 8am a red Citroen car hit the young black and white collie in the vicinity of the Glenshane Road – however there are connections to Belfast, Antrim and Dungiven.
A 24-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animal and threats to kill.
He was later charged and appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday 20 May.
Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, observed any suspicious activity in the area during this time or have CCTV or dash cam footage that could assist with enquiries, or anyone who may know there whereabouts of the dog, to contact the PSNI via 101 or online, quoting the reference number 635 of 19/05/24.
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org/.