AN ONLINE post has gone viral after a family said a group of school children attacked their dog outside a shop.

The family took to Facebook saying their Rottweiler Dom, was secured to a post outside Co-Op in Gardener Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope.

The sister of the dog owner said: "My sister secured him to the post and he laid down.

"A young man came in and asked who owned the dog because several kids from Gable Hall School were kicking him. They were still in uniform.

"The man and my sister shouted at them to stop only to get abuse back.

"They continued to harm him and the man chased them off - they headed down Queen Elizabeth Drive shouting abuse at him."

It is understood this has been reported and is being dealt with by the school.

The woman thanked the man who helped and added: "A big thank you to the man who helped - sorry she didn't get your name as it was a shock at the time.

"Dom is a little quieter than usual but is ok."

The post on Facebook has been shared more than 190 times.

A school spokesman said: "The alleged behaviours described in the incident, are not in line with the schools values and ethos and Gable Hall School will be working with agencies to cooperate fully in any, and all, investigations to identify the individuals as well take appropriate action."