RSPCA officers are hunting a man who attacked his dog in the grounds of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Blackburn.

The incident happened in an area between West Park Road and Dukes Brow, when the man punched the dog several times and whipped it with its lead.

The man was described as Asian, in his late teens, and stocky.

He was approximately 5ft 10ins tall, and at the time he was wearing a turquoise hoody.

His dog was a ‘blue’ Staffordshire bull terrier, which looks grey .

The owner was seen punching the dog on the top of the head three times, which caused the dog to cower and urinate in fear.

He was also seen whipping the dog once down its side with a lead.

RSPCA inspectors are now trying to track down the man and the dog after the incident which happened at just after 3pm on Wednesday.

Inspector Kat Hamblin said: “We are concerned for the dog’s safety, given the way the owner has treated it in a public place.

“We would like to follow up to check the dog is okay and give the owner appropriate advice and make him aware of his responsibilities under the law.

“We need people to come forward if they have know who it might be and have an address for this man.”

Inspectors have asked for anyone with an address for the man to get in touch.

Anyone with information about the man is asked to call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.