News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A dog pictured with five tattoos on different parts of its body has caused an outcry with claims of animal cruelty.

The dog's apparent owner bizarrely claimed the ink designs would protect the dog from cancer - but later deleted the images after an online storm erupted.

Photos showed the dog with tattoos on its mouth, ears and next to its eyes.

It is believed tattoo artist Emerson Damasceno is the owner. He said he believed the tattoos would protect the dog from cancer.

(Image: CEN)

The owner's girlfriend also defended him with postings on their social network accounts.

They claimed the dog was tattooed after being seen by vets at a veterinary school in the city of Posos de Caldas, in the south-eastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

However, this was rejected by the veterinary school, saying they had never done anything similar on a dog and did not condone what had happened.

In addition, several prominent veterinary experts said that what had been done to the dog had no obvious benefits.

The man later deleted his profile from Facebook and other social network accounts.

It is unclear if police are investigating.