Outrage over video of police officer shooting at kangaroo

WARNING – GRAPHIC CONTENT: A South Australian police officer has come under fire over his attempts to shoot and kill an injured kangaroo.

Video recorded by a witness shows the officer lining up the animal, after he was called to an oval at Stuart High School in Whyalla Stuart, following reports the animal had a broken leg.

Despite firing multiple rounds, the visibly injured roo seems somewhat unaffected by the gunshots.

While the animal still appears to be alive at the conclusion of the video, an SA Police spokesperson told Yahoo7 News that it was eventually destroyed by the officer.

“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 spokesperson 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.

“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.”

Social media users, including the man who witnessed the shooting, criticised the officer’s actions, saying he told the officer to “get a rifle” but was told to “back off”.

“This is just cruel,” one viewer wrote.

“This copper needs to go back to the gun range,” another said.

“Why did he aim at its body when that close? I’m not sure what the police standard operating procedure for putting down animals is, but… doesn’t seem like a real humane way.”

The spokesperson said when any police officer uses their firearm, a mandatory report must be submitted and the actions assessed.

They said a final assessment has yet be completed on this incident.