Dog is kicked, punched and hit with bottle during attack in Mytholmroyd

The RSPCA is appealing for witnesses to the attack which happened outside the Dusty Miller pub on Burnley Road and on the New Road bridge at 10pm on Wednesday, October 8.

The dog suffered minor injuries during the attack, which was interrupted by staff and punters at the pub who rushed to the dog’s aid and took it away from the man.

The dog’s owner, who witnesses said appeared drunk but had not been drinking at the Dusty Miller, is described as six feet tall and stocky, with brown hair and a beard. He was wearing jeans.

RSPCA inspector Charlotte Booker said: “The man was seen kicking and trying to strangle the dog, then smashed a vodka bottle over the dog’s head, before kicking the dog again.

“Someone actually took the dog from the man and took the dog home with them. We collected him and transferred him to the vets where he was admitted for tests.

“He has a bad limp and was drinking excessively so was kept in for observation until Saturday but thankfully x-rays didn’t find anything to be broken. He’s now been transferred to an RSPCA animal centre where he’s getting lots of TLC. It looks like he’s had a very lucky escape.”

Andrea, Morville, an employee at the Dusty Miller, said: “A customer, who had just been for a cigarette, came in to the pub and said someone was kicking the hell out of a dog outside. At one point he was in the middle of Burnley Road and the traffic had to stop for him.

“Four of us legged it out and went to look to see what was going on. The biggest part of it actually happened on the bridge on New Road.

“I got there first. I saw him stood there and I couldn’t see the dog. I thought he had thrown it into the river. I went around the side of the wall and the dog was there cowering. I said ‘get away from the dog, I’m phoning the police’. He said ‘it’s my dog’ and I said ‘I don’t care. I’m phoning the police’. Two of the customers then took the dog home for the night.”

The dog was microchipped but the owner’s details are not up-to date. The RSPCA know that he is, or was, called ‘Reggie’ and is around two years old. He is neutered.

Inspector Booker said: “Reggie is one of the nicest natured dogs I’ve come across in a long time. I hope that by releasing this information and Reggie’s photo someone will recognise him and get in touch with the information we need to find his owner and identify the person who did this to him.

“I would like to hear from anyone who can help with this, whether they recognise Reggie or actually witnessed the incident and haven’t yet spoken to me.

“He’s very unusual looking, tan and black with a white patch on his chest and a curly tail.

“I’m sure someone must be able to help.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 0300 1234 999 and leave a message for inspector Booker.