The dangers of taking on a kangaroo! Social media users comment on ‘hench’ animal which ‘looks like it escaped from the gym’ as footage shows it attacking a dog and its owner – in latest footage showing a fight between man and beast

Of all the dangers you could encounter in Australia, from spiders to snakes – one thing you don’t expect to find yourself doing is fighting off a vicious kangaroo that’s trying to drown your dog. 

That’s exactly what happened to one man in the outback this week, who went viral for filming himself holding off the beast.

In the video, captioned ‘martial arts are for everyone, even kangaroos’, the dog is seen being held just above the water by the kangaroo. 

Rushing in to save the visually distressed pet, the man is heard cursing at the kangaroo, saying: ‘I’m going to punch you f*****g head in. Let my dog go’. 

Then, the kangaroo lunges at the man before the video cuts out – a struggle is heard before the video reappears showing the kangaroo stood facing the man and the dog now free. 

In the video, captioned ‘martial arts are for everyone, even kangaroos’, the dog is seen being held just above the water by the kangaroo

The kangaroo lunges at the man before the video cuts out - a struggle is heard before the video reappears showing the kangaroo stood facing the man and the dog now free

The kangaroo lunges at the man before the video cuts out – a struggle is heard before the video reappears showing the kangaroo stood facing the man and the dog now free

The clip has since been shared by thousands on social media, with people shocked at how human-like and ‘hench’ the kangaroo looks.

One user joked that it ‘looks like it just escaped the gym’ while another called it ‘buff as hell’.

Someone else tweeted ‘Kangaroos are deer that did prison time’ meanwhile another shocked user said ‘Wow, been doing some serious work in the gym! Should post his routine!’

Another wrote ‘Why he look so strong and agitated. He was bout to take that dog to POUND TOWN’ with laughing emojis.

Someone who was familiar with the animals sinister tactics explained ‘They always lure anyone into the water then they drown you when you enter.’ 

Others added ‘Kangaroos always got beef,’ ‘Dude was ready for war’ and ‘Kangaroos have the best PR because they’re the most terrifying and menacing animals i’ve ever seen’. 

The animal’s ripped physique reminded users of ‘the Schwarzenegger of ‘roos’ Roger the kangaroo, who died aged 12 back in 2018.

Roger, who stood 200 centimeters tall, became an internet sensation in 2015 when pictures surfaced of his bulging biceps, popping veins and prominent chest. 

The clip has since been shared by thousands on social media, with one user joking that it 'looks like it just escaped the gym' while another calling it 'buff as hell'

The clip has since been shared by thousands on social media, with one user joking that it ‘looks like it just escaped the gym’ while another calling it ‘buff as hell’

The animal's ripped physique reminded users of 'the Schwarzenegger of 'roos' Roger the kangaroo, who died aged 12 back in 2018

The animal’s ripped physique reminded users of ‘the Schwarzenegger of ‘roos’ Roger the kangaroo, who died aged 12 back in 2018

Despite the internet finding the situation hilarious, this isn’t the first time the usually docile animals have turned violent and inflicted damage on humans.

Just a few weeks ago, another raging ‘roo’ put a farmer in a headlock after dragging him off his motorbike in county Victoria.

Brian O’Donnell, 74,  was riding his Honda across his farmland to check on a cow that was due to give birth when he noticed the massive marsupial stalking him.

Instead of hopping away – as most kangaroos would – the creature ‘started growling and jumping up and down’, he told the ABC.

The farmer said the kangaroo put him in a headlock and tore at his clothing, leaving with him gashes on his neck and back.

Another shocking video from June this year showed the moment an American tourist was forced to grab a kangaroo by the throat after it kicked and scratched him at Perth zoo.

The clip started with a woman trying to get away from the animal before the tourist came between them.

Brian O'Donnell, 74,  was riding his Honda across his farmland to check on a cow that was due to give birth when he noticed the massive marsupial stalking him

The farmer said the kangaroo put him in a headlock and tore at his clothing, leaving with him gashes on his neck and back

Instead of hopping away – as most kangaroos would – the creature ‘started growling and jumping up and down’, Brian O’Donnell told the ABC

Another shocking video from June this year showed the moment an American tourist was forced to grab a kangaroo by the throat after it kicked and scratched him at Perth zoo

Another shocking video from June this year showed the moment an American tourist was forced to grab a kangaroo by the throat after it kicked and scratched him at Perth zoo

The dad, wearing a black t-shirt, cap, blue jeans and brown boots, lifted up his leg to defend himself but the animal continues to come at him before a younger man came in to help

The dad, wearing a black t-shirt, cap, blue jeans and brown boots, lifted up his leg to defend himself but the animal continues to come at him before a younger man came in to help

In response the marsupial reared up, jumping at and clawing at the man as he tried to keep it at bay. 

The dad, wearing a black t-shirt, cap, blue jeans and brown boots, lifted up his leg to defend himself but the animal continues to come at him before a younger man came in to help.

Both men tried to walk away from the animal but the kangaroo continued to follow, kicking and jumping at them.

Finally the ‘roo’ was placated after a staff member at the zoo intervened, telling the two men to walk away and calling the animal a ‘naughty boy’.

It also seems that kangaroos picking on dogs is a common theme – in 2016, another dog owner was forced to punch a ‘roo’ in the face after it grabbed his pooch in a headlock.

The moment the man stood toe-to-toe and traded punches with the marsupial to save his dog ‘Max’ was captured on camera by a friend, who videoed the fight from the safety of his vehicle. 

With the dog in a headlock, the man’s approach initially fails to deter the kangaroo, who kicks out with its leg.

Eventually the marsupial releases the dog, turning its attention instead to the man.

Standing upright, it momentarily before being struck by a forceful punch that sends it stumbling backwards.

It also seems that kangaroos picking on dogs is a common theme - in 2016, another dog owner was forced to punch a 'roo' in the face after it grabbed his pooch in a headlock

It also seems that kangaroos picking on dogs is a common theme – in 2016, another dog owner was forced to punch a ‘roo’ in the face after it grabbed his pooch in a headlock

Again, in May of last year, another angry 'roo' chased down a terrified man before tackling him to the ground as the two slugged it out in a drawn-out brawl

Again, in May of last year, another angry ‘roo’ chased down a terrified man before tackling him to the ground as the two slugged it out in a drawn-out brawl

Again, in May of last year, another angry kangaroo  chased down a terrified man before tackling him to the ground as the two slugged it out in a drawn-out brawl.

Footage uploaded to a Ballina, New South Wales, Instagram page showed the man sprinting away from the irate eastern grey before stumbling and hitting the ground.

The ruthless marsupial then stomps on the man, who gets back on his feet desperately clutching a stick and swinging it wildly in self-defence.

At the end of the ‘man vs animal battle,’ both fighters looked worse for wear.

However, despite kangaroo tussles often racking up views on social media, the attacks are not actually that common.

The last kangaroo attack that proved fatal was back in 2022 – police believe it was a wild animal which aged less than 12-months-old which was being kept as a pet.

Until then, a deadly attack had not occurred in Australia since 1936 when hunter William Cruickshank, 38 tried to rescue his two dogs from a fight with a kangaroo in Hillston in western NSW.

WHY KANGAROOS ATTACK 

Kangaroos are mostly docile creatures, and interactions with humans are infrequent.

They can be unpredictable when they feel they are threatened, or that their territory is being encroached on – whether by a human or another animal.

Fewer than five people each year seek treatment for kangaroo attacks in NSW.

The most common reasons for a kangaroo to attack a human are:

  • They see the person as a threat or a sparring opponent. They often will try to protect their group or offspring.
  • The kangaroo has lost its instinctive fear of humans – generally as a result of humans feeding or handling it from a young age. 
  • The kangaroo is in an unfamiliar terrain or has recently moved habitats. Natural disasters like drought and fires can force a kangaroo out of its home and closer to roads and walking trails to seek out food and water, which poses a threat.  

When a kangaroo attacks a person, the will generally do so in a similar matter to fighting another kangaroo, using their paws to push or ‘grapple’ the opponent to the ground. 

How to avoid threatening a kangaroo: 

Do not walk directly toward the kangaroo.

Do not stand up tall, stare or hold your arms out towards a kangaroo. 

Do not go near male kangaroos that are sparring, fighting or showing off       their size and strength to each other.  

Do not move between a female and her joey. 

Do not allow your dog to approach a kangaroo. Kangaroos will vigorously defend themselves against dogs, and this may draw you into a dangerous situation. 

Source: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage 

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