UPDATED – police appeal to identify people

Police received a report that on Wednesday afternoon of Wednesday 3 April, a man was witnessed causing physical harm to a dog on The Causeway in Freshwater. They are keen to establish what happened, and believe the people pictured may have information to assist enquiries.

If you know these people, or it is you who is pictured here, please contact police on 101, quoting 44240140777.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

UPDATE – 9.51am, April 6

As a result of this appeal, police have now identified the individuals and will be speaking to them as part of their enquiries. They say the investigation team will seek to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

A police spokesman added: “We note this incident has attracted some significant commentary on social media – we understand the community’s concern, however urge people to please not speculate on the circumstances through online commentary.”