The RSPCA are looking for a man who was filmed by a witness repeated punching a dog in Nelson, Lancashire. The incident took place around 3.15pm on Thursday 10 December.

In the video, the man is shown hitting the animal – thought to be a large white American Bulldog – a number of times before picking it up and carrying it away. The RSPCA is calling for anyone with information to call their appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

RSPCA inspector Charlotte Booker said: "This is an urgent appeal to find the man in the footage, which we are releasing today, and the dog, whose welfare we are extremely concerned about.

"We hope that the images of him and the dog – a large white bull breed, we think probably an American bulldog – along with the location and time this happened will mean that those who know him will recognise him, and call us.

"This was a sustained attack on a dog which was clearly petrified and submissive and which had to be picked up and carried down the street afterwards. Please, if you have any specific information about this man, and where the dog is now, get in touch."

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