Shocking footage shows the moment a man repeatedly hits a dog over its head using a spade before police arrest him.
The man is seen standing over the helpless pet and whacking him with the garden tool again and again in his backyard on the Pembury Estate in Hackney, north London
He uses so much force to hit the dog that he appears to almost lose his footing in the process.
A shocked neighbour who witnessed the incident filmed the abuse and reported it to police on Wednesday morning.
Officers swooped in on the flat and though no one was present at the time, the man has since been arrested.
The dog has been treated for facial injuries and remains in care.
Shocking footage shows the moment a man repeatedly hits a dog over its head using a spade
Officers attended the property and found the injured dog
A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘Police were called around 10.55am on Wednesday, 8 November to an address in E5 to reports of a man assaulting a dog in the rear garden of the property.
‘Officers attended the location and found a dog with injuries.
‘They were taken to an animal hospital, treated for facial injuries, and remain in care in a stable condition.
‘No one was present at the address but a man yesterday (November 9) attended a police station and been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty.’
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 2303/8NOV.
Local Harry Monk said: ‘Thank you and well done to those who called police and recorded evidence. You have literally changed the life of that poor sweet dog.
‘I thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
Police say the dog was taken to an animal hospital and remains in care
Another said the poor dog needs the best new family in the world.
‘And that poor dog needs the best new family in the world.’
Commenting on the video, one viewer named Shawn said: ‘Oh my God. What is happening on earth, Jesus Christ.’
Another local filmed police leading the dog out of the estate on a lead and said they could see a bloody nose.