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Police are investigating after a man was filmed dragging a swan by its neck near Caerphilly Castle over the weekend.

The incident was filmed and posted to Facebook on Sunday December 3.

Within the first 24 hours of the post being published, it was shared more than 570 times, and had more than 230 reactions and 360 comments.

Brandon Ryzy, 21, witnessed and filmed the “sickening” attack and posted the video on Facebook.

He told BBC Wales: “I was just walking home from doing some shopping when I spotted him in the corner of my eye.

“I’m guessing he was under the influence.”

Brandon confronted the man, who claimed the bird had attacked his children, despite not having children with him.

He added: “I did chase after him and made sure he put the swan down. “I had to be very aggressive to get him to stop.”

A Gwent Police spokesperson said the force received a call about the incident at around 4.20pm on Sunday. The caller said the man had since let the swan go and it had ran back into the water.

The spokesperson added: “Officers attended and searched the area, the man was not found and enquiries are ongoing to trace him.

“Anyone with any information can call police on 101, quoting 2300411149, or you can direct message Gwent Police on social media.”

An RSPCA Cymru spokesperson said: “This is a very distressing video and anyone who has any first-hand information about this incident can contact the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 1234 999 or Gwent Police.

“Swans, their nests, and their eggs are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.”