A MAN allegedly beat his caged dog unconscious - and a horrified neighbor secretly recorded the abuse.

Cole Herrmann, 36, is being accused of animal cruelty after footage showed him punching his dog multiple times in the head in the backyard of his Florida home.

2 Hrothgar, a four-year-old pit bull mix, was allegedly punched in the head multiple times by his owner Credit: wfla.com

2 According to St. Petersburg police, Cole Herrmann admitted to spanking his dog too hard Credit: St. Petersburg Police Department

The neighbor's recording, obtained by 8 On Your Side, showed Herrmann abusing the dog while it was restrained in a metal cage.

On the video, Herrmann can be heard scolding the dog: “If you didn’t want to get in trouble, you should have pooped in your cage."

He was seen punching the dog at least 10 times.

Herrmann was also recorded holding down the dog with his body, saying: "Dont move. Do not move."

The neighbor, who requested to remain anonymous, recounted observing the abuse as "painful."

She told the news outlet: "I wanted to jump over the fence and just save the poor thing."

Thankfully the video was able to lead to Herrmann's arrest - but the neighbor said the incident wasn't the first time she noticed something like this.

She explained: “People living here with him. And it’s always constant arguments. Yelling and vulgar language. And it’s just on-going."

According to St. Petersburg police, Herrmann admitted to spanking his dog too hard - which caused the dog to become unresponsive.

The four-year-old pit bull mix - named Hrothgar - has been removed from the home and placed with Pinellas County Animal Services.

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Herrmann was arrested on a felony cruelty to animals charge on Tuesday, but later released on surety bond.

A new owner is planning to adopt Hrothgar, WFLA reported.