RSPCA issues public appeal to find man shown biting head off live pigeon in 'distressing' video

WARNING: The story below contains a graphic description of extreme violence inflicted on an animal

The RSPCA has appealed for the public's help in tracing a man shown biting the head off a live pigeon in a video clip.

The bird is likely to have endured “unimaginable” suffering, said the charity.

The footage shows a man in a yellow hi-vis jacket beating the pigeon out of its resting place with a pole.

He quickly grabs the flapping bird from the floor before apparently biting its head from its body.

Laughter can be heard from other people on the scene, believed to be a building site in either northern England or Wales.

The man spits out pigeon’s head out and growls at the camera, as blood pours from his mouth.

He poses with the headless bird, which briefly flaps in his hand before becoming lifeless.

The man throws the bird's body onto the floor, complaining that "it s**t on me while I did that".

“This is a deeply shocking, disturbing and distressing video,” said Dermot Murphy, assistant director of the RSPCA.

“If what this video seems to show is accurate, the pain and suffering caused to the pigeon is likely to have been unimaginable.”

The video first appeared on social media before it was handed to the RSPCA, which said what it appears to show constitutes a crime.

“We’re very eager for information identifying the individual involved, or providing related background, to be brought to our attention as a matter of urgency," said Mr Murphy.

“It has been suggested to us that the incident may have links to either the north of England, or Wales.

“However, we are eager for any information which could assist with our inquiries on this serious matter.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the RSPCA’s inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.