A MAN caught on CCTV beating his dog in a pub beer garden has been branded “gutless” and a “sadistic bully”.

A ginger-haired man was seen punching the Staffordshire terrier 36 times at the Royal Oak in Station Street, Lewes, on Thursday evening.

During the attack he also kicked the dog four times, throttled it with its lead and poured a pint of beer over it.

Landlady Trudy Funnell witnessed just part of the incident and threw the thug out.

Only later did she discover the horrifying 15-minute attack had been captured on the pub’s cameras.

She said: “One of the staff came up to me and said there was an issue with a man and his dog in the garden.

“I watched him through the window and saw him hit the dog.

“I had to go over and ask him to leave.

“It was only afterwards, when I watched the whole incident, that I realised it went on for 15 minutes.

“He punched the dog 36 times, kicked it four times, choked it twice with the lead and poured a pint of beer over it.

“I felt so guilty when I realised I let the poor dog leave with that man.

“The RSPCA said they need the man’s name and address to be able to do anything.

“The police have come and taken the CCTV. “

The shocking footage was shared thousands of times after being published on The Argus website yesterday.

One visitor to the website described the man as a sadistic animal bully, adding: “This animal is not safe with him.”

“The police and RSPCA must prosecute and remove this dog, banning him from ever owning an animal again.”

The police and RSPCA are now both investigating.

A possible name for the man was yesterday passed to the police.

Ms Funnell added: “I just want to thank everyone who shared the CCTV.

“We need to do everything we can do to catch this man.”

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “We would encourage anyone who knows who this guy is to come forward.

“We don’t know the full circumstances but looking at the footage this is absolutely no way to treat a dog.”

Anyone with any information about the man or the dog can call the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.