London, Jan 10 : The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, has been cleared from the dog beating charges levied against him, after the RSPCA decided not to prosecute him.

When the animal charity received complaints, with pictures showing Edward hitting his black Labrador with a walking stick while out shooting, it decided to launch an investigation.

But it later dismissed the allegations, as there was "insufficient evidence" to support the claim that the Prince had mistreated the animal.

"The RSPCA has closed its investigation as there was insufficient evidence to support the allegation that Prince Edward beat his dog," Sky News quoted a statement from the animal charity as saying.