Police, environment department investigating pademelon ‘torture’ video

Tasmania Police and the state’s environment department are investigating a video posted on social media of a dog attacking a pademelon. WARNING: GRAPHIC >>

Director and owner of Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Greg Irons is unhappy that a potoroo had be euthanised after being caught in trap. Picture: Zak Simmonds

THE Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania is investigating a video posted on TikTok of a dog attacking a pademelon.

The video shows the jack russell swimming after the pademelon and biting at it as it tries to get out of the water.

The dog can then be seen repeatedly biting the animal’s tail, before the video cuts to a shot of the owner holding the animal to let the dog bite it.

The video sparked outrage after it was posted to TikTok with the hashtags #funny and #hunting, with upbeat music in the background.

A spokesperson said the department was investigating with police.

“Killing or interfering with native wildlife is illegal in Tasmania unless a person has the relevant licence or permit. Significant penalties apply for wildlife offences,” they said.

“Further, a person convicted of aggravated cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act may face fines up to $34,600 and/or up to five years jail.”

The spokesperson said those with information about suspected wildlife offences should report it to the department’s investigations and enforcement section on 0417 661 234.

‘Barbaric’: TikTok of pademelon ‘torture’ causes outrage

A video posted on TikTok of a jack russell attacking a Tasmanian pademelon while its owner holds it down has left a wildlife advocate disgusted, lost for words and calling for action.

The video shows the dog swimming after the pademelon and biting at it as it tries to get out of the water.

The jack russell can be seen repeatedly biting the animal’s tail, before the video cuts to a shot of the owner holding the animal to let the dog bite it.

Director of Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Greg Irons said the video was disgusting.

“I couldn’t watch the whole thing and when it was out of the water, I had to turn it off, I nearly threw my phone,” Mr Irons said.

“I don’t have the words to explain how barbaric it was.

“This is a defenceless animal being treated that way.”

Pet owner lets dog torment Tasmanian pademelon.

He said the owner of the dog should be ashamed.

“These people are not thinking about what these animals go through, they have no empathy,” he said.

“They need serious help if they get a kick out of doing something like this.”

The video, which has since been taken down, contains the hashtags “hunting” and “funny”.

“To film it, put happy music over it and put it online, that is next level,” Mr Irons said.

“It had the hashtag “hunting” so I presume they killed it and left it there.

“If that’s what was in the video, imagine what wasn’t in the video.”

The 26-year-old Tasmanian woman who posted the video confirmed the animal had been killed.

“If you must know, I did put it out of its misery in a humane way cause it was sick anyway,” she said in response to a comment on Friday on another video.

“If you don’t f***ing like it don’t look and don’t sook. It’s life.”

Mr Irons said tougher penalties along with more education and awareness around animal cruelty were needed.

“I hope people stand up and say enough’s enough,” Mr Irons said.

“Somehow we have to infiltrate these cruel circles of people that get a kick out of it.

“Tassie is a small place, we can absolutely have change.

“Let’s think more broadly and demand a clear message that this is not acceptable.

Originally published as Police, environment department investigating pademelon ‘torture’ video