Police said officers at the Hastings-Worthing station were into the early stages of an investigation into claims that a man drowned a dog at a beach on Tuesday.
A statement from police on Wednesday confirmed that a video clip of the incident circulating on social media networks was reported and an official investigation into the matter had started.
“We are aware of the widespread public discussions and ultimate concerns,” the statement read. “We are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed this incident to come forward and make a report to any police station.”
Chief Inspector of the Barbados Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is, however, cautioning people that it might not have been a deliberate act on the man’s part.
And while he is not excusing the man’s actions, Chief Inspector Wayne Norville surmised the dog’s death could have been heat-related rather than deliberate cruelty.
But animal rescuer and activist Lavern Beresford was not convinced.
