Police in Falmouth, Cornwall have identified the individuals involved with throwing a terrified dog off a cliff into the sea.

"We are currently working with the local [chapter of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals] in this case and have identified those involved," the police department posted on Twitter. "Thank you 603."

A horrific video of the incident went viral on social media. In the footage, a boy clutches a terrified dog, which appears to be a spaniel, and approaches the edge of a cliff. A person off camera can be heard encouraging the boy, while the canine desperately tries to escape. As the cameraperson laughs hysterically, the boy hurls the dog into the air. The dog then strikes the water, surfaces and swims to shore.

Earlier, police confirmed that the dog was uninjured and they were investigating the incident. "Police are investigating a report of concern for the welfare of an animal in Falmouth on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 1," a police spokesperson said, per Cornwall Live. "This relates to a dog being thrown into the sea. The dog has been checked over and is uninjured. The investigation is ongoing and enquiries are continuing."

Animal lovers, including comedian Ricky Gervais, spread the disturbing video on social media, in an attempt to identify the perpetrator. In response to the outrage, the police told the public not to seek vigilante justice.

"We ask that people, including users of social media, do not speculate around the circumstances of this incident, or the individual involved," the spokesperson said. "We are aware of threats that have been made online would urge members of the public to leave this investigation with the police, and not to take the law into their own hands."

The RSPCA, the UK's largest animal welfare charity, also issued a statement, per HuffPo:

"We are aware of upsetting footage that has been circulated on social media and we are looking into it. We are not always able to discuss what action may or may not have been taken for legal reasons but we can confirm that the dog involved has been seen by an RSPCA inspector and is fine.

"This is distressing footage but we would like to remind people that it involves young people and we would urge people to leave the appropriate authorities to deal with it."

Police in Falmouth, Cornwall have identified the individuals involved with throwing a terrified dog off a cliff into the sea.

"We are currently working with the local [chapter of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals] in this case and have identified those involved," the police department posted on Twitter. "Thank you 603."

A horrific video of the incident went viral on social media. In the footage, a boy clutches a terrified dog, which appears to be a spaniel, and approaches the edge of a cliff. A person off camera can be heard encouraging the boy, while the canine desperately tries to escape. As the cameraperson laughs hysterically, the boy hurls the dog into the air. The dog then strikes the water, surfaces and swims to shore.

Earlier, police confirmed that the dog was uninjured and they were investigating the incident. "Police are investigating a report of concern for the welfare of an animal in Falmouth on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 1," a police spokesperson said, per Cornwall Live. "This relates to a dog being thrown into the sea. The dog has been checked over and is uninjured. The investigation is ongoing and enquiries are continuing."

Animal lovers, including comedian Ricky Gervais, spread the disturbing video on social media, in an attempt to identify the perpetrator. In response to the outrage, the police told the public not to seek vigilante justice.

"We ask that people, including users of social media, do not speculate around the circumstances of this incident, or the individual involved," the spokesperson said. "We are aware of threats that have been made online would urge members of the public to leave this investigation with the police, and not to take the law into their own hands."

The RSPCA, the UK's largest animal welfare charity, also issued a statement, per HuffPo:

"We are aware of upsetting footage that has been circulated on social media and we are looking into it. We are not always able to discuss what action may or may not have been taken for legal reasons but we can confirm that the dog involved has been seen by an RSPCA inspector and is fine.

"This is distressing footage but we would like to remind people that it involves young people and we would urge people to leave the appropriate authorities to deal with it."