Hunt for man caught 'slapping dog three times' on CCTV outside shop in Clydebank

A man has been caught on CCTV repeatedly beating his dog in West Dunbartonshire.

The man tied up the young black and white collie outside a shop on Montrose Street in Clydebank.

He goes inside but then runs out “almost immediately” and slaps the pet three times, the Scottish SPCA said.

The animal cowered and fell on its side. A passer-by confronts the man who claimed the dog was chewing its lead and that is why he beat the animal.

The incident happened outside the shop on Tuesday, October 10.

The man is believed to be local to Clydebank. Scottish SPCA

The Scottish SPCA wants to trace the man and make sure that the dog is safe and well.

He is described as being tall and lean, in his early to mid-twenties with blonde hair.

He was wearing a navy hoodie at the time of the incident.

The charity said that from enquiries already carried out, it is believed he is local to the area.

Scottish SPCA chief inspector Laura McIntyre said: “The dog he had with him is a black and white collie and appeared to be relatively young from the video footage.

“During the incident in question, the man ties the collie up outside the shop and goes inside. Almost immediately afterwards he runs out of the shop and slaps the dog three times, causing them to cower and fall on their side.

“When confronted by a passer-by the man claimed the dog was chewing their lead and this was the reason he was hitting the animal.

“The man goes back into the shop and when he returns to untie the collie they are still visibly frightened.

“No animal should be subjected to physical violence and this is not the correct way to train any animal displaying unwanted behaviour.

“We would urge anyone who recognises this man to contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999. All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.”