UPDATE: The PSNI in North Belfast have confirmed the dog is in good health and no abuse had taken place
PEOPLE have reacted with disgust after a video emerged on social media apparently showing a dog being hanged in Belfast.
The PSNI have appealed for witnesses after being made aware of the ‘despicable’ video, which appeared on Facebook on Sunday evening.
The video, which Belfast Live reports was shot in the New Lodge area of North Belfast, appears to show a man standing beside the hanging dog.
Despite the poor quality of the footage, the animal's anguished yelps can be heard, before someone urges the man to release the dog.
Julie-Anne Corr-Johnston, Progressive Unionist councillor for Oldpark, which includes the New Lodge area, described the perpetrator as a ‘monster’.
“Takes a special kind of monster to harm an animal… It’s repulsive,” she posted on Twitter.
“If you’ve info that could help PSNI with their enquiries please, please, do the honest to goodness thing and come forward!”
Tom Smith, DUP councillor for Bangor East and Donaghadee, called those responsible 'feral creatures'.
'No mercy'
In a statement he said: "Absolutely shocking news that a dog has been hung in Belfast. What kind of people have we raised here?
"These feral creatures who are responsible deserve no mercy from the law.
"They must be arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned for a long, long time."
The PSNI confirmed they are investigating what they dubbed a ‘horrible crime’.
“Police in North Belfast have been made aware of a video posted online showing the despicable act of someone apparently harming a dog,” they wrote on Facebook.
“This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and we are keen to find out who committed this horrible crime.”
They asked anyone with information to contact 101 quoting reference 1147 11/03/2018.
Social media users meanwhile were disgusted by the video.
Appalling to learn via social media/news tonight of the hanging of a dog in Belfast. Pure evil by the person who carried it out. Sadly nothing can bring this poor animal back or remove its suffering, but the evil perpetrator must be brought to justice. If info please contact PSNI
— peter weir (@peterweirmla) 11 March 2018
We have been absolutely sickened tonight by news that a video of a dog being hung is circulating on Facebook. Please contact the PSNI if you have any information that could help them find the perpetrators. We are flooded by this level of cruelty 💔 https://t.co/W2J4cx0BJ6
— Pet Connection (@Pet_Connection) 11 March 2018
Some sick bastards have hung a dog in North Belfast. Video on Facebook (I did not open video) wtf is the world coming to? Scumbags
— susie blue 💙 (@ulstersmyhome) 11 March 2018
Heart breaking with the news of that poor wee dog being hung in north belfast :(
— Naomi (@NaomiCFC) 11 March 2018
Somebody hanged a dog in Northern Ireland? Fucking hell. I can’t deal with that. Poor poor little thing. How terrified it must have been.
— Lady Hz (@LadyHz) 11 March 2018
An awful thing to do. I hope it's known that this is serious personality disorder kind of stuff and if you think it's funny or entertaining you stop to think of the perpetrators next move!!! Report them!!
Dog 'hanging' video appears on Facebook - https://t.co/2zb2hmdJYU
— Lorna Donnelly (@LMLawLADY) 11 March 2018
