The RSPCA has issued a note of caution after a dog was allegedly thrown off a cliff into the sea.

Police are now investigating a suspected incident of animal cruelty, working alongside local RSPCA inspectors.

A spokesperson for the charity has urged people not to speculate and reminded commenters that it involves young people.

She also said that one of its inspectors had examined the dog and it was "fine."

The spokesperson said: "We are aware of upsetting footage that has been circulated on social media and we are looking into it. We are not always able to discuss what action may or may not have been taken for legal reasons but we can confirm that the dog involved has been seen by an RSPCA inspector and is fine.

“This is distressing footage but we would like to remind people that it involves young people and we would urge people to leave the appropriate authorities to deal with it.”

A video of the incident was circulated on social media, before later being removed.

Falmouth Packet:

It appears to show a boy holding a struggling dog.

A voice behind the camera then says: "Go [name of boy], go."

The flailing dog is then thrown over the edge of the cliff, into the water below, where it lands with a loud splash. It can be seen subsequently swimming back towards the shore.

The boy in shot is then heard apparently saying: "It resisted. Don't resist."

Soon after the video was posted, last Wednesday evening, police in Falmouth confirmed that an investigation had begun.

On Friday they gave an update to say that they had identified the people involved, before going on to say: "Please appreciate that we need to do this effectively without intrusion or inappropriate comments."

Rumours had been circulating on social media that the dog had died, but police said later that day that it was alive, uninjured, safe and well.