Clague William Cowin, 47, was convicted of animal cruelty in Port Kembla Local Court on Tuesday, despite failing to turn up to court to face the charge.

Police documents tendered during the brief proceedings reveal staff at a Keira Street restaurant alerted police to the February 25 incident, and quickly filmed Cowin's actions on their phones, later showing the footage to police, which enabled officers to make a swift arrest.

The documents say Cowin was walking the bitch, believed to be a Staffordshire bull terrier, along Keira Street about 11pm when she attempted to eat a piece of pizza lying on the pavement.

Cowin grabbed the dog by the collar and hit her on the head while yelling at her.

She was seen to cower away from him.

A few moments later Cowin eased his grip on the dog and encouraged her to go back towards the pizza.

When she stretched out to take it, Cowin again hit the bitch and yelled at her aggressively.

This happened on two more occasions, with Cowin dragging the dog towards the pizza the fourth time, then slapping her around the head four times.

Cowin then picked up the dog by the collar, so her back feet were off the ground, and moved four or five steps away, continuing to act aggressively towards the animal.

Meantime, as one of the restaurant employees filmed Cowin's actions, another walked out of the premises and yelled at him.

Cowin ignored the man and continued walking with the dog down Keira Street.

The employee contacted police, who went to search for Cowin after viewing the disturbing phone footage.

They arrested him at the top of Denison Street, locating a Leatherman knife in his pocket, as well as a credit card and mobile phone that didn't belong to him.

The animal was placed into the care of the RSPCA at Unanderra.

Cowin was charged with animal cruelty, carrying a knife in a public place and having goods in custody suspected of being stolen.

In court on Tuesday, Magistrate Mark Douglass convicted Cowin of all three offences and fined him a total of $2000.