A VIGILANTE gang descended on a house in Grimsby after footage of a terrified dog being abused was posted on Facebook.

Dozens of animal lovers headed to a terraced house in the Lincolnshire town where a neighbour had secretly filmed a Staffordshire bull terrier being beaten with a stick, punched and kicked as it tried to get into the back door.

The alleged abuse took place in front of a small boy.

Within hours of 23-year-old Michael Currie posting the footage on social networking site Facebook, an angry mob surrounded the man's house.

A window was smashed and the alleged animal abuser punched in the face before police moved in.

A 36-year-old male has appeared in court today.

Part of the footage

Mr Currie said: “Something had to be done. I posted the video so people would report it. I have had hundreds of friend requests and messages since – I cannot keep track of them.

“I am not pleased about the possible assault or the smashed window, but I am pleased with the result – an arrest has been made and the dog is safe.”

The animal was taken to Grimsby Blue Cross Animal Hospital to be checked over and the RSPCA is today investigating hundreds of calls regarding the incident.

A spokesman from Humberside Police said: “Officers attended the area quickly and took robust action, arresting a 36-year-old in connection with alleged animal cruelty offences and removing a dog.”

Mr Currie removed the original video on advice from the police – but many copies were already circulating on video sharing sites.

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