Possum punch video investigated
A video posted to social media of a man punching a possum in the head has been labelled ‘‘absolutely horrific’’ by the SPCA.
The video was posted on Facebook page ‘You Know You Lived in Waitara When...’ on Monday night with the words ‘‘Mean while in taranaki we have been researching and found a new pest control method alot safer than trapping and 1080 the results are amazing [sic]’’.
This comes just days after a video surfaced of a Taranaki man allegedly getting a kitten high on cannabis by lighting a bong and blowing smoke into the animal’s face.
North Taranaki SPCA spokeswoman Jackie Poles Smith said news of another animal cruelty incident in Taranaki was shocking. ‘‘Our inspectorate team will be investigating.’’
In the possum video a group of people shine a spotlight on the possum sitting on a fencepost and then one man races up and punches it in head, knocking it from its perch.
The group then film the possum as it runs away, egging the man to chase and catch it.
‘‘Get it, get it, punch it in the head . . . Grab him, punch him . . . Stomp on his head,’’ someone can be heard saying.
Poles Smith said it was not uncommon to hear of cruelty incidents within days of each other.
‘‘Unfortunately, our inspectors receive between 300-400 complaints a year about concerns for animals’ welfare.’’
Poles Smith said these were made up of cruelty, neglect and occasionally misinformation.
After it was posted, the video attracted a number of comments, most condemning the behaviour, but by 3pm the video had been removed. The poster has not responded to requests for comment.
‘‘Makes me wonder if they treat animals like this, regardless of the excuse of ‘pest control’, how they treat humans. Disgusting!!’’ one read.
‘‘You are a useless human with no purpose. hope his teeth got you and you contract a virus from it [sic],’’ another person wrote.
One comment threatened that if the video was not taken down it would be reported, to which the poster responded ‘‘f... off lol’’.
A Department of Conservation spokeswoman said only the use of approved traps and toxins was condoned by the department, because it was the most humane way to kill pests.
New Plymouth sergeant Phil Quinn said he hadn’t heard any reports of the graphic video, but that didn’t mean it hadn’t been brought to police attention.
He said if a report came through police would work alongside the SPCA to deal with it.
‘‘Any cruelty toward animals, there will be an offence there,’’ Quinn said.
He acknowledged that possums are pests but said they still have to be killed humanely.