Man arrested after beating 'XL Bully' over head with shovel on London estate

A man has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after a video emerged of him allegedly beating a dog with a shovel.

Footage shared on social media this week showed a man repeatedly hitting the dog in the garden of a ground floor flat at Pembury Place in Hackney, London. The pet was seen being taken to safety by police officers in a subsequent clip.

Police confirmed the dog was brought to an animal hospital following the incident on Wednesday, where it was treated for facial injuries. The animal is said to be in a stable condition.

No-one was present at the flat when officers arrived to make enquiries, police added. A man attended a police station on Thursday and was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty.

Local media said the dog, which was large and brown in colour, appeared to belong to the XL Bully breed. The breed has not yet been confirmed by police.

Girl, 4, mauled to death in dog attack pictured as neighbours hear mum's screams

A spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police told the Mirror: "Police were called around 10.55hrs 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 has today (Thursday, 9 November) attended a police station and been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty." An RSPCA spokesperson said: "This is a distressing video and we urge anyone who has first-hand information about this to contact us on 0300 1234 999."