THE RSPCA has urged witnesses to contact them after a dad-of-three reported seeing a man grab a small dog by its neck while shaking, swearing and screaming at it.

Ste Hunter, from Sutton, alleges the attack took place on Sunday, November 5, around 10am when he was going to McDonalds with his two-year-old daughter on Church Street.

He alleges that he saw a man “violently” lift the dog above his head before shouting “why have you chewed through your lead” while shaking him.

The 42-year-old said: “I was disgusted and mortified that this vile attack happened anyway but especially in front of my little girl. I just had to say something and asked him how he would like it if someone grabbed him violently by the neck like that.

“To which he answered with ‘It’s my dog I’ll do what I want’.

“I took a picture of him and the dog and sent it to the RSPCA but the dog was shrinking away from him. It’s an innocent animal it should be treated like that.

“It was supposed to be a little treat to get breakfast at McDonalds for my daughter for doing her first dancing exam and instead she was distraught.

“She loves animals so much and it’s such a bad example to set to anyone never mind someone so young in the morning and on a weekend.

“I hope inspectors find him and make sure the dog is OK.”

An RSPCA spokesman added: “We are concerned to hear about this incident involving a Yorkshire Terrier in St Helens. It must have been very distressing to witness.

“We would urge anybody with information to contact us on 0300 1234999.”