Reportedly how one may ill-treat a dog? (7)

I believe the answer is:

whippet

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'a dog?' is the definition.
(whippet is a kind of dog)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for whippet that I've seen before include "Fast runner" , "Small greyhound-type dog" , "Racing-dog" , "Greyhound relative" , "Dog related to 9 down" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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