Health workers kill woman's pet dog in China over COVID-19

COVID-19 health workers in China have been caught on video killing a pet dog.

The footage, which was caught on a security camera promoted outrage when it was shared on a social media site in the country, the BBC reported.

The workers were disinfecting the flat of a woman in quarantine, in Shangrao in Jiangxi province, and beat the dog with a crowbar until it died.

She was not allowed to take her dog with her into isolation.

LIVE UPDATES: Google's $1b plan for Australia

Local authorities issued a statement apologising the incident, according to the BBC, and said one of the health workers had been sacked.

They claimed the dog had been the subject of a "harmless disposal".

CNN reported there are a handful of COVID-19 cases in the community where it happened.

READ MORE: Couple lose out on dream house and deposit after bank's mistake

The dog's owner posted online about what happened.

"The dog tried to avoid the beating and fled into the bedroom, and therefore it wasn't recorded by surveillance camera, but (I) could hear faint wails," she wrote, according to CNN.

"A few minutes later, they said they've dealt with it and would take it away, holding a yellow plastic bag in their hands.

"Even now I don't know whether my dog is alive or dead, and where it has been taken."

CNN said authorities confirmed the dog had been killed as part of a plan to "thoroughly disinfect" homes.

READ MORE: 'Focused' search for William Tyrrell looking for 'disturbed ground'

Comments on the video, which the BBC said had now been taken down, included: "Who gave them the right to break into her home and kill her dog?"

China has previously killed pet cats over the virus, without telling their owners.

READ MORE: Men ward off crocodile, drink urine in 'horrific' three-day survival ordeal