A man has been spotted kicking and hitting his defenceless dog before throwing it into a river.
Just moments later the same shirtless man was seen yanking the distressed whippet back out of the River Frome, in Farleigh Hungerford, Somerset.
The RSPCA said the man also grabbed his pet while it was attempting to go to the toilet before repeatedly shaking the dog, which he then threw into the back of a dark coloured vehicle.
The man is said to have been at the popular swimming at around 6.45pm on July 16 and was with a woman and two children at the time of the incident, Somerset Live reports.
The animal charity has a video of the abuse but have not yet released this to the media.
The animal welfare charity said members of the public reported the incident.
RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson, who is investigating the incident, said: “We are appealing to anyone with any information about this incident to come forward and let us know as we are concerned about the safety of the dog.
“The man was seen attacking the dog and there are also concerns the dog had an injury with an open wound on the thigh.
“This was witnessed by a number of shocked onlookers who’ve reported their concerns about the incident."
Anybody who saw the incident, or who may know who the man is, is asked to contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.
