Prince Edward's animal investigation

29 December 2008

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Britain's Prince Edward could face an RSPCA investigation after he appeared to beat two dogs with a stick.

The royal - the youngest of Queen Elizabeth's children - seemed to strike the animals after they took hold of a dead pheasant while out hunting.

Animal activists have branded the incident a "sickening example", although it is not clear whether Edward actually hit the dogs.

The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) needs to receive a formal complaint before they can assess if there is enough evidence for an investigation

An onlooker said: "At the end of the drive, the dogs went off to pick up the dead birds - but these two dogs looked like they were squabbling over one pheasant.

"They clearly were not doing what they were supposed to do so Edward took it upon himself to impose some royal discipline.

"It was quite a big stick and it would have hurt the dog if it had been hit with any force."

The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) needs to receive a formal complaint before they can assess if there is enough evidence for an investigation.

A spokesperson said: "It is not illegal to hit a dog. What makes it an offence is if it can be proved that the dog suffered unnecessarily."Beverly Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today magazine, is outraged at the Edward's "disgraceful" behaviour.She said: "What sort of message does it send out when the Royal Family are directly involved in this sort of sickening animal cruelty?"Buckingham Palace officials insist the prince was breaking up a fight between the Labradors but did not confirm whether or not he hit them.

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