Pet sitter seen hitting dogs

Harrowing footage of a dog sitter abusing frightened pets at a day care centre is being investigated by the RSPCA.

John Walker, 67, is seen hitting dogs until they yelp in agony before warning them to ‘shut up’ and hitting them again at the £15-a-day Mucky Pups centre in Lancashire. 

In one appalling scene, Walker is scene punching what appears to be a frightened chocolate Labrador, and in another grabbing what appears to be a black Labrador by its neck and slapping it several times. 

John Walker, 67, is seen hitting dogs until they yelp in agony before warning them to ‘shut up’ and hitting them again at the £15-a-day Mucky Pups centre in Lancashire

Walker – who is understood to be still employed by the day care centre, which is owned by his daughter Lauren – is also seen using a 4ft mop handle to hit another small dog, and then lands a kick on another cowering animal. 

The footage leaked by former employee Chelsea Devine, who says she was forced to quit when her protests about the animal abuse were ignored by her boss. 

‘It’s despicable what he does to those poor animals,’ Chelsea, 19, told The Sun. 

Chelsea said she told Lauren that a dog had been left with a limp after Walker had attacked it.

Lauren is said to have texted back: ‘Sorry you had to witness that, chick. He’s a pr***.’

Chelsea added that she also texted Lauren about him smacking a dog called Rex while she was in America.

Lauren is said to have responded: ‘Rex doesn’t listen when you smack him. Been there, tried that. There’s load of e-collars over here. I’m going to get a few shock the b*****ds xxx’.

Lauren, 27, reportedly claimed the footage was ‘cropped’ and denied her father was abusing animals. 

Walker – who is understood to be still employed by the day care centre, which is owned by his daughter Lauren – is also seen using a 4ft mop handle to hit another small dog, and then lands a kick on another cowering animal

She said: ‘Abusing them is the wrong word. Heavy-handed, correction methods, yes. In terms of my dad abusing them it’s incorrect.’  

The RSPCA confirmed it is investigating. 

A statement was issued on the Mucky Pups Facebook page on Friday before before being deactivated.

It said: ‘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.’