A DOGGY day care centre has had its licence revoked following a social media storm over alleged animal welfare breaches.

Hyndburn Borough Council revoked Rishton-based Mucky Pups Doggy Day Care's animal activity licence "following the release in the press and on social media of videos from a former employee raising dog welfare concerns".

The revocation was issued in February, just weeks after the council initially suspended the centre's licence pending an RSPCA investigation, but the information has only just been brought to light today.

A Hyndburn Borough Council spokesperson told the Lancashire Telegraph: "We can confirm that the Mucky Pups Doggy Day Care Centre licence has been revoked on February 21 2020."

This means that Mucky Pups cannot provide animal care or apply for another licence.

In December, the Lancashire Telegraph exclusively revealed the RSPCA was looking into footage on social media appearing to show a man hitting and smacking several dogs, while they were supposed to be under his care at Mucky Pups.

One video appeared to show the man picking a dog up by the scruff of its neck, beating it and throwing it across the floor, while the dog can be heard whimpering and crying.

In another, the man appears to hit one dog with a broom, while another video shows him physically smacking a dog with his hand so hard that the connection can be heard on the footage.

Former apprentice Chelsea Devine, who filmed the incidents between September and December 2019, said she was left heartbroken as working with dogs was her dream job, and reported the behaviour to the RSPCA.

READ - Warning - distressing footage: Videos show man 'slapping' and 'beating' dogs at Mucky Pups doggy day care centre in Rishton

A statement issued on Mucky Pups Facebook page in December read: "We are currently aware of the videos circulating Facebook, they are distressing but aren’t the full story, the man in the video has been bitten in one of the videos because he has had to intervene to stop any harm coming to the other dog.

"These videos were captured by an ex-apprentice who’s gone to the newspapers first before informing me, the RSPCA or her colleague.

" The police aren’t taking it further due to the circumstances the man was in, the girl was sat there videoing instead of helping.

"No dogs were hurt or had gone home injured.

"Legal action is in place and we will get our name cleared.

"We thank you to all our loyal customers who have contacted our business first to verify the facts.

"If anyone needs any more information I would be happy to provide this.

"Lauren Walker - Managing Director."

That post was later removed, and the Mucky Pups Facebook page has since been taken down.

The Lancashire Telegraph attempted to contact Miss Walker for a comment on the revocation but has yet to receive a response.