A man has appeared in court accused of trying to harm a dog by lacing meatballs with poison and throwing them into a backyard.

Frank Pavlovic, 42, of Bonner, indicated to the ACT Magistrates Court that he will plead guilty to the charge of attempting to harm a dog.

Pavlovic was arrested earlier this month after a woman found her dog sniffing a meatball in her backyard in Gungahlin.

The woman told police she found several other meatballs scattered around the yard.

Police allege the man was seen removing the meatballs from a plastic bag before throwing them into the rear yard of the house.

The dog did not eat the meatballs but tests showed they contained rat poison.

Pavlovic is due back in court next month.

The maximum penalty for attempting to harm a dog is a $1,000 fine.