A police officer who shot an injured kangaroo seven times in a desperate attempt to put it down has been slammed by animal rights activists.
A South Australian Police officer was filmed trying to kill the animal at Stuart High School oval in Whyalla Stuart, South Australia, 82km south of Port Augusta on Wednesday.
The 90-second video uploaded on Facebook has users calling out the cop’s actions as ‘disgraceful’.
‘That was absolutely disgraceful, that clown should not be allowed to carry a gun if he can’t use it. I feel sorry for the roo that was wounded and left in agony, if you can’t kill it quickly don’t try,’ one user wrote.
Animal rights activists took to social media and expressed their fury at the officer’s actions
The officer’s action was labelled out with an array of criticisms such as ‘useless’, ‘cruel’ and ‘sadistic’.
‘What a torturing c***!!!! Cops out of anyone know how to shoot to kill… bored sadistic cop! We all know he won’t sleep well at night!’ another user wrote.
A spokesman for South Australia Police told Daily Mail Australia the officer was called to the oval by school staff and wildlife rescue crews after the kangaroo was found with a severely broken front right leg.
The confronting footage shows the police officer shoot the kangaroo, which barely flinches, before he lines up and shoots the animal again.
By the third shot it looks as though the officer is shooting over the kangaroo but South Australia police confirmed the officer had to shoot the animal a number of times.
‘A number of attempts were made by the officer to destroy the kangaroo but each situation is different with some animals more resilient than others – even to bullets fired at close range,’ the spokesman said.
‘The kangaroo was destroyed by the officer. When any police officer uses their firearm a mandatory report must be submitted and the actions assessed. A final assessment has yet be completed on this incident.’
Footage has emerged of the moment a police officer was forced to shoot a kangaroo multiple times on a high school oval as people watched on and filmed
A spokesman for South Australia Police said the officer was called to the oval by school staff and wildlife rescue crews after the kangaroo was found with a severely broken front right leg
Some people were hopeful the officer was only trying to frighten animal away from the public school.
The South Australia Police spokesman said the incident was one of the many responsibilities of the police force.
‘Police have the authority for the lawful destruction of birds or animals in circumstances where it is believed the bird or animal is in distress due to injury,’ the spokesman said.
‘In this situation this was the belief of the police officer after SAPOL were contacted by a wildlife rescue group that the kangaroo had a broken leg.’
The video ends before the kangaroo is killed.
The officer was called to the Stuart High School (pictured) by school staff and animal rescue crews after the injured animal was discovered