Gold Coast’s hunt for mystery man who abused his dog at Palm Beach

GOLD Coasters are calling for a man who some have labelled a “dirt bag” for abusing his dog at Palm Beach to be named and shamed. What do you think? (WARNING: Distressing footage)

GOLD Coasters are calling for a man who some have labelled a “dirt bag” for abusing his dog at Palm Beach to be named and shamed.

While the dog has been seized by RSPCA yesterday Gold Coasters desperately want to know who the man behind the cruel act is.

Words like “heartbreaking”, “rotten scumbag” and “the definition of filth” were commonplace in the comment section of the video shared on the Gold Coast Bulletin Facebook page, which showed the man yanking on the dog’s leash and kicking his pet.

A man has been captured on film kicking and dragging his dog from a ute. Photo: Supplied.

The video has been viewed more than 3.5 million times across Australian news sites and the numbers are growing.

Facebook user Kim Lane said she was “thankful” to the woman who filmed the incident.

“We’re all focused on the cruelty of this poor dog but a big thank you to the person who brought this to everyone’s attention. Without you letting everyone know, this would have been swept under the mat. Now we can all share and shame,” she wrote in one post.

Gold Coast people are looking for the couple behind the disgraceful act.

While many people took to Facebook in outrage after seeing the footage, some searched for him themselves by zooming in on the registration plate of his vehicle and said they hoped the video went viral so someone, somewhere would recognise him.

“Does it make you feel tough kicking an animal?’’ one asked.

“Imagine what he does behind closed doors?” said another.

One user even told the man to “go to Currumbin this weekend and let me kick you in the guts”.

A man has been captured on film kicking his dog. Photo: Supplied.

These were just some of the milder comments circulating online.

The dog owner behind Instagram’s famous Gold Coast dachshund Kingsley, Emma Bains, said she was heartbroken watching the footage.

“My Dachshund lives with a Staffy and I was horrified when I saw the video, I couldn’t bear to watch it,” she told the Bulletin.

“But at the end of the day it’s not the dog, it is the dog owner. From what I could see the dog looked very happy and excited to be at the beach but the dog owner just had no clue on how to take care of his dog.

A man has been captured on film kicking and dragging his dog from a ute. Photo: Supplied.

“To be honest that dog should go to a better owner who understands how to control a dog.”

Ms Bains said her positive reinforcement was simple.

“I just raise my finger and say “naughty” and my dog will understand,” she said.

“He has been raised from a puppy to understand what is “good” and “bad” and he can tell just by listening to the tone of my voice.

“You wouldn’t beat a child like that so I don’t understand why it would work on a dog.

“Having a good bind and having trust is so important with your pet.”

A man has been captured on film kicking and dragging his dog from a ute. Photo: Supplied.