Prince dog beating claim rejected

Prince Edward was shown holding a stick over a Labrador

The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, will not be prosecuted over allegations he beat a gun dog, the RSPCA has said.

The charity has been investigating claims the prince may have struck a Labrador with a walking stick on the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

But it now says there is not enough evidence to support the allegation.

The investigation followed public complaints when pictures showing the prince holding a stick over a black Labrador were published in December.

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

In a statement, the animal charity said: "The RSPCA has closed its investigation as there was insufficient evidence to support the allegation that Prince Edward beat his dog."

Buckingham Palace said it welcomed the charity's findings but did not want to comment further.