Police and the RSPCA have been contacted after footage emerged of a man carrying a dog along the street by what appears to be its neck. The incident was caught on camera by a passing motorist.
The recording filmed the man as he bent down and picked up the dog. While the footage is initially in the distance the car passed the man and captured him carrying the animal.
The incident was filmed in Hednesford, Staffordshire on June 6 at about 6.10pm. But after the video appeared on social media it sparked calls to the police.
Staffordshire Police have now confirmed they have been contacted in connection with the incident. They said they had since spoken to the man.
The incident has since been referred to the RSPCA. A spokesman said it was looking into the matter, reports the Birmingham Mail.
The motorist, who wished to remain anonymous, told Black Country Live: "It looks like he picked up the dog by its throat. It is horses for courses - whether it was its neck or throat or whatever.
"I don't think you are supposed to pick up animals by the neck and throat. In comments, on Facebook, people are saying 'the scruff of the neck'.
"But it didn't look like the scruff of the neck - to me, the scruff of the neck is the back of the neck. Other comments were saying 'you are not supposed to pick adult dogs up by the scruff of the neck'.
"I'm not a dog owner, I don't own any animals. I'm out of the equation as to how you pick up a dog - but to me, that was quite disturbing.
"From the comments that I have had on Facebook, a lot of other people think the same. It was rather concerning when I did see that.
"Whether it was a malicious thing he thought he was going to do, or if it was for a reason, I honestly don't know. I don't know why he was carrying it by the neck and I don't know what happened when I went past him."
He added: "It made me angry. I am not an animal keeper but you wouldn't grab your kid by the neck and pick him, or her, up.
"So you wouldn't expect that for an animal. You just can't do those sort of things, it is just wrong, cruel."
The motorist said he was aware that "quite a few people" had reported the incident to the police. In response, a Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: "Police were notified of a video circulating on social media on Sunday (June 12) whereby a man with a dog was recorded in Hednesford. The man has come forward to officers and a referral has been made to the RSPCA."
The RSPCA confirmed it has been contacted over the matter. A spokesperson said: "We are so grateful to people who report suspected animal suffering to us and we would like to reassure people we will always look into and, if necessary, investigate any complaints made to us about animal welfare."
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