An Australian man sprang into action when a kangaroo wrapped its hands around his dog's throat, running toward it and punching it in the face in what is considered by some to be one of the most Australian videos to hit the internet yet.
The short video, which has since gone viral, was posted to Facebook Saturday by a man who said he got it from his "buddy from Australia."
"The buck has hold of the dog and not the other way around," an animated Aussie announces as the dog and kangaroo come into focus. "The buck 'roo sees the odds stacking against him and tries to get the dog with its claws one last time."
The kangaroo lets go of the dog and the dog's owner squares up against it. He delivers a single punch to the kangaroo's face, shocking the 'roo before the animal hops away.
The video was filmed in June during a boar hunting trip in Condobolin, New South Wales and included in a DVD compilation of the trip, news.com.au reported.
The hunting trip was organized for Kailem Barwick, a 19-year-old who was dying of cancer, according to WAtoday.com.au.
Barwick died Dec. 2.
"It was a memory and part of the trip and gave us a great laugh after," hunt organizer Mathew Amor told WAtoday.com.au on Sunday.
Armor told news.com.au that his friend, zookeeper Greig Tonkins, hit the kangaroo after it grabbed his hunting dog, Max.
"The dog Max was fine, just startled because the kangaroo had a hold of him," Armor said, noting that the dog was wearing a chest plate meant to protect him from boar tusks at the time of the confrontation. "It was funny because the guy who did it is the most placid bloke."
Some people have questioned the punch was necessary. A spokesperson for Taronga Western Plains Zoo, where Tonkins works, told news.com.au in a statement that the zoo is looking into Tonkins' actions.
"Good animal welfare and the protection of Australian wildlife are of the utmost importance to Taronga," the spokesperson said. "We are working with Mr Tonkins to understand the exact circumstances of the event and will consider any appropriate action."
WAtoday reported that Taronga Western Plains Zoo said in a statement Tuesday that Tonkins would keep his job.
Best practice animal welfare and the protection of Australian wildlife are of the utmost importance to Taronga. Taronga strongly opposes the striking of animals and does not support the practice of using dogs to hunt, as this can result in negative welfare for both species. We support the Guidelines outlined by the Department of Environment and Heritage in the event of confrontation with a kangaroo.
Mr. Tonkins is an experienced zookeeper and during his six years at Taronga Western Plains Zoo has always followed Taronga's best practice approach to animal care and welfare. We confirm that there is no suggestion of Mr. Tonkins' employment at Taronga Western Plains Zoo ending as a result of this event.
However, the highest standards of animal welfare and care are a core value of Taronga and one that we expect our staff to uphold in all their interactions with wildlife and we continue to work with Mr. Tonkins on his conduct in regards to this incident.
Taronga asks on behalf of Mr. Tonkins and his family that media respect their privacy at this time.
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