The Police and SPCA are investigating an incident in Gisborne where a person was seen pushing a dog off a bridge into the water.
Photo: 123RF
The incident was captured on video and posted online on Reddit.
Video shows a group of people standing a bridge, before one person picks a dog up and places it close to the edge before pushing it off.
SPCA Inspectorate Team Leader Pip Lamb said the behaviour displayed in the video was concerning.
"Anyone who witnessed this incident or has information about the people responsible is asked to share this by contacting SPCA's Gisborne Centre on 06 867 9463 and following the extension instructions to report a welfare concern.
"This sort of behaviour is extremely irresponsible and could result in injury to the dog, and may constitute an offence under the Animal Welfare Act. "
Police said they recieved an online report of this matter in the early hours of the morning and were currently in the initial stages of assessing it.