A man who allegedly set a New London apartment on fire hours after his infant son was killed by the family dog in Norwich appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty.

Timothy Settles, 33, of 60 Merchants Ave., Apt. 3, Norwich, appeared in New London Superior Court Part A before Judge Hillary B. Strackbein on Wednesday morning, wearing a tan prison-issue outfit and a white face mask. Attorney Aimee Mahon was appointed to represent Settles, who entered a plea of not guilty.

Settles was arrested on a warrant on Nov. 8, six months after he allegedly set fire to an apartment at 10 Rosemary St. in New London just before 4 a.m. on May 11. No one was injured in the fire.

Hours earlier, on May 10, Settles' son was killed when the family's dog lunged at an adult who was holding the baby. The baby suffered multiple traumatic injuries, officials said, and died at the scene.

The pit bull-Labrador dog that attacked the baby later was euthanized.

Settles is being held at Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center in lieu of a $500,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court next on Feb. 17.