The RSPCA is appealing for public help to identify a man seen dragging a collapsed bulldog along a pavement in East London. The incident, believed to have occurred in June, was captured on video and shared on YouTube, prompting an investigation by an online sleuth whose own video about the case amassed two million views.
The footage, which MyLondon has chosen not to share, shows a white and brown bulldog being pulled along its stomach at the junction of Tredegar Road and Mostyn Grove in Bow. The dog is wearing a veterinary cone collar, suggesting it had recently undergone treatment.
RSPCA launches appeal after distressing footage
The animal welfare charity has been following up on its own lines of inquiry but now hopes the public can help track down the dog and its owner. Intelligence Unit Supervisor Patrick Bulley confirmed that the RSPCA had been in contact with the YouTuber who first highlighted the case.
“We’ve been in contact with the Youtuber to thank him for all of the work he put into this case,” Bulley said. “We’ve been following up on our own lines of inquiry but now we’re hoping the public can help us.”
Bulley described the video as “very upsetting,” adding: “The video shows what appears to be a man dragging a collapsed tan and white bulldog along the pavement on his chest and stomach with his legs dragging behind him.”
Dog's veterinary cone raises welfare concerns
The presence of the veterinary cone has heightened concerns about the dog’s condition. “What makes the clip even more worrying is that the dog is wearing a veterinary cone so it appears as though he’s recently had veterinary treatment,” Bulley said.
The RSPCA is urging anyone who recognises the dog or who witnessed the incident to come forward. “We’d ask anyone who knows a dog matching this description who lives locally to get in touch with us,” Bulley added.
“We’d also really like to hear from the person who originally filmed and posted the clip or from anyone who witnessed the incident itself as they may be able to help us track this dog down, as well as their owner.”
Public asked to contact RSPCA appeal line
The charity has set up a dedicated appeal line for information. “Anyone with anything that could help our case should contact our appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 1838213,” Bulley said.
The RSPCA continues to investigate the case and is relying on public assistance to bring the person responsible to justice.
