US comedian Mike Epp’s shocking kangaroo stunt

ANIMAL rights group PETA has slammed a US comedian who brought a leashed kangaroo on stage at his stand-up gig and forced it to dance.

The kangaroo used in the stage show for Mike Epps. Picture: Twitter/@_AmNico

ANIMAL rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has slammed an American comedian who brought a chained kangaroo on stage during a stand-up show.

Mike Epps, who also starred in The Hangover, was filmed by fans with the animal on stage while performing in Detroit at the Festival of Laughs comedy tour.

Epps had another man bring the kangaroo out and it had a leash around its neck.

Footage uploaded to social media and TMZ.com shows the handler carrying the animal around when it tried to leave the stage.

They also appeared to dance while holding the kangaroo up to the crowd so they could get a closer look at him.

PETA said Epps shocking behaviour amounted to “animal abuse”.

“There is nothing funny about animal abuse, which is exactly what Mike Epps did by forcing a kangaroo on stage during his Detroit show,” PETA Australia said in a statement.

“High stress situations, such as being confronted by a noisy crowd and being made to “dance”, can kill kangaroos who are prone to myopathy. If Mike Epps truly loves animals, he will leave them out of his shows in the future.”

Whyyyy did they bring the kangaroo on stage at Mike Epps show 😩😭. I love Detroit pic.twitter.com/DoqNu4jcf6

— Amber ♍ (@_AmNico) April 1, 2017

Mike Epps was holding the kangaroo dancing then gone run off stage😭😭😭 wtf pic.twitter.com/Kgn9dKMrBX

— Bri Baby (@imBRIANA_) April 2, 2017

Many fans disapproved of the stunt, calling it a form of animal abuse on social media.

The kangaroo’s handler is Javon Stacks, who was spotted walking the kangaroo around Detroit last week. The animal belongs to the Exhibit Zoo.

Guy running around Detroit with a Kangaroo on a leash. Point - Internet. https://t.co/ROvxiuL4Xa pic.twitter.com/fJvwRM3nLY

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 28, 2017

Stacks told MLive.com it’s part of a travelling zoo, and claimed to have the proper licenses.

Stacks told TMZ.com the kangaroo was not harmed, and the leash he used is legal and preferable to a collar.

After the show, Epps posted a backstage video of himself with a different kangaroo which makes it seem like he anticipated backlash.

He captioned the clip, “Yeh look how nice Iam 2 him! Theses guys are license zoo keepers ! #iloveanimals.” He later deleted the post, but it was captured by Instagram account The Shade Room.

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Either way, the stunt left fans divided, who shared their thoughts on social media.

I used 2B a fan of Mike Epps, but this ignorant Bozo brought a Kangaroo on stage & abused it 4 laughs. No wonder your tour TANKED in Oz!👎🏽

— Wonda Woman (@WondaWoman) April 2, 2017

I didn't think Mike Epps playing with that kangaroo last night was funny at all. That kangaroo look miserable and ready to snap.

— P (@Pariss_Franceee) April 1, 2017

Why is that poor kangaroo on stage with Mike Epps? it looks sad. Someone call PETA

— Doris Payne (@ohfads) April 1, 2017

i commented on Mike Epps picture of him with that poor kangaroo on stage and said that it's animal cruelty to have had it on stage and...

— yajara (@yeeeezyyyy) April 2, 2017

The video of Mike Epps with the famous kangaroo just broke my heart man. I hope someone reports it so Roo goes back to his natural habitat

— Tanya Nefer Mushayi (@nikko_frikko) April 1, 2017