POLICE have confirmed that no crime was committed after officers investigated a video believed to show a dog being hanged in Belfast.
A PSNI spokeswoman said the animal was not being abused but actually "being trained and was playing with a toy".
It came after a video emerged on social media on Sunday, which claimed to show the dog being 'hanged' in the New Lodge area. It is believed the 21-second video, taken from behind railings, was captured by a passer-by.
Police issued an appeal after being "made aware of a video posted online showing the despicable act of someone apparently harming a dog".
But yesterday after officers visited the owner, police said the dog was not abused.
PSNI chief inspector Kelly Moore said: "I can confirm after the visit that the dog is in good health and no abuse had taken place.
"Rather the dog was being trained and was playing with a toy. We are satisfied that no crime has taken place and that the animal is well looked after."
The dog's owner, who does not want to be identified, also posted an emotional statement on social media hitting back at the claims he had hurt the animal, an American Bulldog named Buster.
"My dog was not hanging, my dog was biting on the tyre, there's a strength competition and you have to stay for as long as they can for this competition," its owner wrote.
"My dog is crying with frustration, his goal is to take that out."
He added: "I have had people outside my house over this misunderstanding. I don't want to live here any more. I have never done anything to hurt my dog, I love my dog.
"My dog was rescued and I love my dog to bits."
