Prince 'struck dog' claim inquiry

Prince Edward was at Sandringham in Norfolk over Christmas

The RSPCA has said it is looking at claims Prince Edward may have struck a Labrador with a walking stick on the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

The investigation started after complaints following the publication of pictures of the Earl of Wessex holding a stick over a black Labrador.

Buckingham Palace said the prince waved his stick to break up a fight between his two dogs over a dead pheasant.

The RSPCA said it had started a fact-finding exercise, not a full inquiry.

A spokeswoman stressed the complaint would be treated like any other.

The only evidence we have at the moment are the pictures - it's not clear from the photos what's going on RSPCA spokesman

She said: "We have received a small number of complaints from members of the public.

"They are concerned by the story they have read in the press and we're dealing with it as we would any other complaint."

She added: "The only evidence we have at the moment are the pictures - it's not clear from the photos what's going on."

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "It has not been determined that he did strike the dog.

"He broke up the fight with the dogs and pictures show him waving his stick around.

"We cannot confirm, however, whether he struck the dog."