Horrifying video shows man punching possum in Far North Queensland

Shocking footage recorded on Snapchat shows a possum being punched in the head and body by a man in North Queensland. WARNING: Distressing

A SHOCKING case of animal cruelty has gone viral online after a man was filmed repeatedly punching a possum in Airlie Beach.

The horrifying video, filmed by a woman on Snapchat, shows a group rip the defenceless possum from a tree near a balcony, before gripping it by the tail leaving the animal hanging upside down and repeatedly punching its stomach and head.

The group laughs before a man holds the possum over the balcony rail before pitching the possum over to the ground.

A video has emerged of a man punching a possum in north Queensland. Picture: Facebook.

RSPCA Queensland said they would be looking into the incident that has sparked outrage online.

“We are just dumbfounded as to why people keep doing acts like this,” RSPCA Qld spokesman Michael Beatty said.

“Unfortunately, the links between premeditated violence, which this seems to be, and violence against humans — there is plenty of research around the world that suggests this is linked.

“We really do need to take acts like this quite seriously, not just for the animals but for the future of humans down the track.”

Someone who knows a member of the group and wished not to be named, said their friend, who slapped but did not punch the possum, was sorry for what he had done.

“I’m not friends with the one punching it — my mate knows he’s done wrong and knows saying sorry isn’t worth much for his actions,” they said.

Mr Beatty said the video would be investigated over the coming days with another similar possum cruelty case due in court next month.