In the dock on Tuesday, Derek McGovern, 41, from Edinburgh; Allan White or Adair, also 41, of Bridge Street, Lockerbie; and Allan McCall, 43, and William Nelson, 41, both of Dunlop Road, Dumfries, all pleaded not guilty to acting together and assaulting the man at Dunlop Road on Sunday.
McGovern also denied being the owner of an American Johnston bulldog cross which was dangerously out of control and bit the man.
Trial was fixed for next month and all were allowed bail, McGovern and White or Adair with conditions they stay out of Dumfries, and McCall and Nelson with conditions they report to the Loreburn Street Police Station each Thursday between 10 am and 2 pm.