Man who punched kangaroo calls police after receiving alleged threats online
The man who punched a kangaroo in the viral video that is sweeping the internet called police to his home after he allegedly received threats from animal rights groups online.
Zookeeper Greig Tonkins has been the target of abuse in the days since the video went public despite claims by his friends that he did not hurt the animal while coming to his dog's rescue.
His employer, Taronga Zoo, has also stated they would continue to employee Mr Tonkins after being notified of the video.
The 34-year-old reportedly called authorities on Wednesday fearing a group of animal activists were going to enter his property in Dubbo, the Daily Mail reports.
7 News Online have contacted NSW police for comment but they were yet to confirm why police were at the property.
The video was filmed in June during a boar hunting trip in Condobolin, after the kangaroo grabbed one of Mr Tonkins' dogs in a headlock.
In an effort to free his pet the concerned owner ran towards the large animal and ended up in a standoff, punching it in the face before running away.
The hunting trip was a dying wish of his friend Kailem Barwick, who died last week after a battle with cancer.
But the feel-good adventure has taken a sour turn, and Mr Tonkins came under investigation from his workplace following the incident.
The father-of-two is an elephant keeper at Taronga Zoo, which released a statement on Tuesday announcing that he would not be sacked from the job he has held for more than six years.
“We do not condone the striking of animals under any circumstances,” the statement said.
“We continue to counsel him as this event and the subsequent media attention unfolds.”
Some members of the public were outraged by the zoo’s decision.
“He's still employed? Makes our decision to go to your zoo a whole lot easier, we'll go to a rescue farm instead,” Nadine Doolan wrote on the zoo’s Facebook.
Others, however, supported the move to keep him employed.
“Can't believe the guy who stood up to the roo to save his dog might lose his job. I think both animals ended up going home healthy, best outcome ever,” Kylie Vanzetti added.
