Disturbing footage that appears to show a man abusing two animals in Shepperton on Tuesday (February 9) has prompted a police appeal and intervention from animal welfare services.
Screenshots and footage released by Surrey Police, investigating, showed a man driving the single horse and trap "aggressively" along Laleham Road.
In later footage deemed "too upsetting to show in its entirety", the man proceeds to "beat (the horse) multiple times with a riding crop," police said.
"He then beat a Lurcher dog in the trailer multiple times before the dog ran off," they added.
The horse and dog were have since been seized under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and are currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries.
Police said the man they are seeking in relation to the acts is described as a white man with a stocky build and dark hair, wearing a black jacket and dark trousers.
The trap involved is wooden trap with white shafts, and the horse is brown and white with a white harness on. The dog is black with white patches.
"This incident which was captured on CCTV is a shocking and barbaric assault on two helpless animals," PS Lee Donovan from the force's Neighbourhood Patrol Team said.
"We are extremely keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this male prior to the attack on the animals riding around on local roads including any dashcam footage.
"Surrey Police take animal cruelty extremely seriously and will be pursing this offender," he added.
If you can help with the investigation or have any information that might be useful, call Surrey Police on 101 or head to their website and quote PR/45210013667.
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