A local kangaroo rescuer has revealed her disappointment over the viral video appearing on The Today Show of a dog fighting one of the native animals.
The viral video appeared to show a large kangaroo and an Aussie shepherd approaching each other in an intense stand-off.
The Kangaroo was balancing on its hind legs and tail while the dog was barking and chasing it in front of a suburban round about in Rowville, south-east of Melbourne.
The video’s popularity landed on The Today Show, as the hosts laughed at “the most Australian thing you’ve ever seen”.
Owner of Sue Roos, Sue Johnston did not see the funny side of the matter as she was “furious” when the footage appeared.
“I am really disappointed about this incident with Nigel the kangaroo and now the shocking press coverage it has received,” Ms Johnston said on Facebook.
“Nigel is one of my local roos who I have known for a long time.
“He is a gentle creature who discovered a little local park which has beautiful grass and lovely bushy area.”
Ms Johnston, who has been rescuing kangaroos for 20-years, said Nigel was “trapped” between the Aussie shepherd, cars and people.
“The owner finally caught up with the dog. Nigel was left terrified, with a foot injury and myopathy. The dog was fine, Nigel not so well,” she said.
“I have known this kangaroo for four years and I know his movements. I am unable to find him now.
“Hopefully he has just been frightened enough from the idiots of this suburb to stay in the bush and he is not dying a slow painful death.”
Ms Johnston fears Nigel the kangaroo could be at a serious risk of dying from his foot injury which could lead to stress myopathy.
Kangaroos can enter myopathy from just three minutes of being chased. As a result, the condition means creatine kinase levels rise, leading to enzymes breaking down muscles, which eventually poison their kidneys.
“Our local kangaroos have such a hard time. Many who are hit by cars, the joeys who lose their mothers, dogs chase and attack them,” she said.
“No one has any idea what happens out here in the dark on a nightly basis.
“These beautiful creatures need help to protect them, not find amusement in their suffering.”
