A man has been charged after a video of someone harming a dog went viral on social media.

Police were alerted to the video, which showed a man harming a dog at a property in Brighton.

Luke Cobb, 38, of Ashurst Road in Brighton, has been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and released on bail.

He will appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on December 21.

Detective Sergeant Mark Turner said: “We responded proactively as soon as we were made aware of this incident, which we are taking very seriously.

“I would like to thank the RSPCA for their ongoing support and expertise in this investigation.

“We ask the public to refrain from speculating on social media as this could undermine the ongoing proceedings.”