Never miss a thing from Belfast and beyond - sign up for FREE updates direct to your email inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A Belfast dog owner has hit back at claims he was 'hanging' his dog.

Over the weekend a video emerged on social media which was claimed to show a dog being 'hanged' in the New Lodge area.

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said a number of people had contacted him about the incident and he was going to report it to council officials.

Police in North Belfast also issued an appeal and said they had "been made aware of a video posted online showing the despicable act of someone apparently harming a dog".

The officer said: "This type of behaviour is TOTALLY unacceptable and we are keen to find out who committed this horrible crime."

But the dog's owner, who asked not to be identified, said he would never harm his dog Buster and the situation was a misunderstanding.

"My dog was not hanging, my dog was biting on the tyre, there's a strength competition and you have to stay for as long as they can for this competition," he said.

"My dog is crying with frustration, his goal is to take that out."

He added: "I have had people outside my house over this misunderstanding. I don't want to live here any more.

"I have never done anything to hurt my dog, I love my dog. My dog was rescued and I love my dog to bits."

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

In an emotional social media post, he also said: "Anyone who knows me will know I look after my dog better than I look after me, he is spoilt rotten, he is obedient, fit and I put a lot of time and effort into my dog... My dog is a year and half old American Bulldog, he is an active dog that I exercise in a daily basis, a trained dog, a protection dog.

"Although he is a protection dog, he is very good with people and everyone really likes him. I've had people at my door, I feel harassed after this situation... I do understand that if hanging was the case, yes something should be done, but people jump into conclusions."

He said noises that sounded like the dog crying in the video was when he was telling the dog to let go and bring the tyre home. He claimed the dog was "crying of frustration because he can't get it out".

He insisted he was training his dog for a strength competition and one of the categories is called Springpole, where a dog bites a rug or some rubber and he's off the ground biting it and the goal is to bite it for as long as he can.

Chief Inspector Kelly Moore said: “After extensive enquiries following a post on social media about suspected abuse of a dog, Police located the dog owner. We have visited the dog owner this morning along with colleagues from Animal Welfare in Belfast City Council.

“I can confirm after the visit that the dog is in good health and no abuse had taken place. Rather the dog was being trained and was playing with a toy. We are satisfied that no crime has taken place and that the animal is well looked after.”

A Belfast City Council spokesperson added: "Animal Welfare Officers visited the animal and its owner this morning with the PSNI. We found no evidence of abuse in relation to the incident and found the dog to be healthy and in good condition. Some general advice was provided regarding training techniques but no further action is planned."