Man filmed laughing and slapping dog across face

Owner ‘may be completely unaware’ of incident, RSPCA inspector says

A man who struck a dog around its face is being sought by the RSPCA after footage of the incident was posted online.

Getting out of a vehicle and walking towards the French mastiff, which has its head poking out from a pick-up truck, the man paused briefly to smirk into the camera and check over his shoulder, before slapping the creature.

As the dog recoils the man walks away - while a second Dogue de Bordeaux barks at him.

The man behind the camera can be heard giggling at the apparent prank.

Concerned social media users reported the incident to the RSPCA after the footage was posted online.

Investigators believe the video was filmed in the UK due to the vehicle number plates caught on camera.

However it is currently unclear where in the country the incident occurred.

“We’re keen to hear from the owner of these dogs," said the association’s chief inspector Tony Pritchard. "They may be completely unaware of this incident. We’d like to check that this dog is okay and gather some more information about him and what happened here.

“We’re also appealing to the public to get in touch with us if they recognise the culprit in the video.”