Gerard Butler bites back over dog attack claim

Actor Gerard Butler has been accused of assaulting a dog.

Retired banker Fred Varecka claims the Ugly Truth star lashed out at his greyhound Mayfly on a street in Queens, New York, on Monday afternoon.

Varecka was walking two dogs when Butler's unleashed pug dog ran over to them.

He says Butler quickly followed, striking one of Varecka's larger dogs for no apparent reason.

Varecka said: "My dog crashed into a fence before yelping in pain. I asked him, 'What did you hit my dog for?' But he just kept ranting and raving that our dog should be put down – it was unbelievable because the dogs never came into contact at any time."

But a friend of the actor's claim the greyhounds attacked his pooch, forcing him to physically defend his pet.

The source said: "Gerry had to physically get in the middle of the two of them to protect the little dog. As far as I know, they are exaggerating. Gerry is an animal lover and simply separated the dogs.

"He's devastated that these people are saying these things, he would never hurt another animal."

Butler's representative backed up this version of events, saying: "A larger greyhound repeatedly attacked Gerard's small pug, so he separated them to protect both dogs."

Varecka has filed a harassment complaint with the New York Police Department, claiming Butler "cursed him out".

Butler rushed his canine to a Manhattan vet, but the extent of the dog's injuries is unknown.

- BANG! SHOWBIZ