Hong Kong  - Animal campaigners are in uproar after a video clip of man swinging at dog by its tail at a Hong Kong dog show was uploaded on YouTube, a news report said Wednesday.

The clip shows the man swinging his black-and-white American cocker spaniel by the tail to and fro at the 82nd All-Breed Championship Dog Show held on May 31 by the Hong Kong Kowloon Kennel Association.

Another man, who may be a a judge, looks on and does not react, said the report in the South China Morning Post.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the Society for Abandoned Animals, Animals Asia and Lamma Animal Protection have condemned the act as animal abuse.

However, the Hong Kong police were unable to say outright whether the act consituted abuse under animal protection laws and are consulting experts.

A spokeswoman for the kennel association said it was a "very common practice".

Animals Asia senior veterinary surgeon Heather Bacon said she would not endorse a dog being handled in such a manner.

"I would expect that the risks of such handling would include pain and discomfort, potential dislocation of the coccygeal [tail] vertebrae and nerve damage, especially if the dog wriggled or tried to pull away when being handled like this."

The SPCA said the action technically was not illegal, though it was "absolutely unacceptable." (dpa)