The RSPCA are looking to trace a man who was seen repeatedly kicking and trying to strangle a whippet in full view of travellers at Millom Railway Station.
A woman working in the station’s ticket office called the police when the man launched a brutal attack on his pet.
The attack took place at about 8.40am on Wednesday, February 9 and the man was captured on CCTV cameras.
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He was challenged by members of the public, and again by the worker in the ticket office, who he was verbally abusive to before jumping onto a train bound for Barrow with the dog.
Officers from British Transport Police were waiting at Barrow station for the man but believe he got off at one of the stations prior to this.
RSPCA Inspector Martyn Fletcher said: “This nasty attack on a dog brought the whole of Millom Rail Station to a standstill. The dog was running around screaming in pain.
“The man was caught in the act by people who challenged him and someone tried to take a photograph of him. He was then challenged by one of the ticket office staff, but went back onto the platform and got on the Barrow train where he’d bought his ticket to.
“We need to talk to him and check on the welfare of the dog so we are appealing for any information about where he went or other sightings of him. He will have been seen by lots of people. He has also been seen at Millom Station since the incident and it seems he may travel there regularly.”
The man is said to have a local accent and he was carrying a distinctive rucksack which has two silver flashes down the side. He was wearing a green hoodie top and a dark green/black waterproof jacket.
Anyone who witnessed the attack or saw a man meeting the description leaving the train at Green Road, Foxfield, Kirkby-in-Furness or Askam rail stations on the morning of February 9 is asked to contact the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018 or ring British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.
