(AU) URGENT! Help RSPCA find coward that kicked injured kangaroo do death; laughing on video. Please forward this to anyone in Australia who may be able to assist this search

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--- On Thu, 9/11/08, Jenie <animalupdates wrote:

Jenie <animalupdatesThursday, September 11, 2008, 2:41 PMPLEASE DO NOT HIT REPLY - I am only cross-posting. Contact info is below:

http://www.rspcawa.asn.au/news/september/catch_the_cowards.html

Please forward this to anyone in Australia who may be able to assist this

search.

The RSPCA today launches a nationwide hunt for a youth shown beating a kangaroo

unconscious, in an online video.

For the full article and how you can help please

http://www.rspcawa.asn.au/news/september/catch_the_cowards.html

This sickening video was sent to the RSPCA in Western Australia and shows the

youth using kickboxing-style attacks on the kangaroo as his friend laughs while

filming. In one scene the man pulls the kangaroo towards him and uses his knee

to deliver a blow to the animal’s chest.

The youth swings his punches into the animal’s face with great force as the

animal struggles to remain standing. The final punch knocks the kangaroo to the

ground where it appears to lay unconscious. It is unclear whether the attack

resulted in the death of the animal.

Steve McLeod, a native wildlife expert, believes the animal was injured prior

to being attacked: “The kangaroo is very disoriented. It is very unusual for

a kangaroo to fight like that, as they invariably flee. I would hazard a guess

that it has been knocked over by the car and injured. Certainly it has been

stunned in some way.”

The RSPCA across Australia has joined forces to launch a nationwide appeal to

catch the cowards who shot this appalling footage.

“We are appealing to every media outlet in Australia to help us track down

the cowards behind the vicious attack on this kangaroo,” said Richard Barry,

spokesman for the RSPCA in WA.

“Thankfully this sickening footage has now been removed from the website

where it was first seen. The next stage is to ensure that those responsible for

this film are brought to justice.

“Only a coward would attack an injured and obviously terrified young animal

much smaller than himself. We want these cowards to be caught, charged and

prosecuted.

“We are appealing to every media outlet in Australia to help us track down

the culprits and we have also posted a photo of the youth at: www.rspcawa.asn.au

The RSPCA also welcomes the support of the Western Australia Police in finding

the perpetrators of this senseless attack.

“The RSPCA is sending a clear message that this behaviour is not only

unacceptable, it is against the law.

“People might think posting videos on the internet provides them some

anonymity but the RSPCA is here to tell those people that when it comes to

animal cruelty, we have zero tolerance and we will use every resource to track

you down.”

If you know the identity of the youth in the video, contact your local RSPCA.

In WA the number to call is (08) 9209 9300

In Queensland call 1300 852 188 In NSW call (02) 9770 7555

In ACT call (02) 6287 8100

In SA call (03) 8231 6931

In Tasmania (03) 6332 8200