The video, which was uploaded to social media by a witness on Sunday, appears to show the man grabbing the dog and throwing it several meters off the ground.

The dog, which is understood to have been elderly, is shown landing on its back.

The Central Western Daily has chosen not to share the footage as it may upset some readers.

A witness who caught the incident on a phone camera said the dog had been nearing the boundary of the man's property when the man approached it.

"I initially thought the guy was going to go out and like scare (the dog) away or yell at him or something, not throw him like he did," she said, adding that the dog was "harmless".

"I've known him for 10 years or more and he just wants to play."

The witness added that police were also called to the scene.

A representative from RSPCA NSW said a cruelty claim has been lodged with an inspector and the incident was now under investigation.