DOZENS of people have named a man believed to have attacked a dog in a pub.

After The Argus published the shocking video of a man appearing to punch a Staffordshire bull terrier online, thousdands of people shared the footage in the bid to catch the man responsible.

Sussex Police are now investigating and looking for the man, but are still appealing for witnesses who saw the attack or who know the identity of the man in the footage to come forward.

A spokeswoman said: Police are investigating after receiving a report of man hitting a dog at the Royal Oak pub in Station Street, Lewes.

“The man was reported to have also kicked and punched the dog and poured beer over it on Thursday (13 April) at about 6pm. He was asked to leave by pub staff.

“The RSPCA have been informed. The man is described as white, aged in his late 20s or early 30s, 5’ 2”, slim with blonde or ginger coloured hair and was wearing dark tracksuit bottoms. “

“We want to know if anyone witnessed the incident or have anymore information about the suspect. “

CCTV captured a 15 minute attack on the dog - which is being studied by police and RSPCA .

During the full attack the dog was seen to be punched, 36 times kicked the dog four times, throttled it with its lead and poured a pint of beer over it.

Landlady of the Royal Oak 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: “I just want to thank everyone who shared the CCTV.

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

Describing the incident on Thursday evening 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.

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

Contact police by emailing 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 569 of 15/04.