A man has been caught on CCTV kicking a dog in a random attack as it waited for its owner outside a shop.
The RSPCA is appealing for information after four-year-old beagle Izzy was kicked by the stranger while waiting for owner Danielle Duce outside One Stop on Bramhall Lane, Stockport, just before 11am on Wednesday.
Miss Duce said: “I go to the shop every single day, and every time I take Izzy with me and she waits for me outside.
“When this happened, I was inside paying when suddenly I heard Izzy yelp loudly. I went outside and a woman said, ‘A man has just kicked your dog’.
“There were people who were confronting him and a man in a van was shouting at him, but he just walked away. I’m just shocked. Thankfully Izzy is fine but I can’t understand why anyone would do this.”
RSPCA animal welfare officer Steve Wickham said: “It is difficult footage to watch. It is a completely random attack and there is no excuse to do this to any animal.
“Out of nowhere this man can be seen aiming a kick at the poor dog in an act which is really aggressive and completely unnecessary. The kick is so hard that he can be described as ‘booting’ Izzy.
“The man is wearing a distinctive blue coat in the footage so we are hoping someone out there will recognise him and we will be able to get in touch with him.”
The man was described by witnesses as being aged between 30 and 40 and may have had dark blonde hair, but was wearing his hood up at the time.
Anyone with information can call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.