A shocking footage has emerged of a comedian bringing a terrified kangaroo on stage with him in what some are calling ‘animal abuse’.
Mike Epps, best known for his appearances in the Hangover movies, shocked on-lookers in Detroit on Friday, but ran away after Skippy retaliated by throwing a punch at the actor.
The 47-year-old showed little remorse for his actions as users took to social media to lash out at the actor for his callous behaviour.
Epps, who played drug dealer ‘Black Doug’ in the Hangover movies was performing at the Festival of Laughs comedy show when the kangaroo appeared on stage with his handler.
Footage shows the comedian egging on the kangaroo to partake in the show, but runs away when the ‘roo punches him in the face.
The handler, undisturbed by the clearly distressed animal, joined in the frivolities appearing to rev up the crowd as he held onto the kangaroo on a leash.
According to TMZ, Epps at one point grabbed the leash himself, and held the ‘animal for a photo’.
Adding that ‘the handler also carried the ‘roo around as it appeared to attempt to run off the stage.’
The handler’s name is Javon Stacks who told MLive.com that the kangaroo is part of a ‘travelling exotic zoo’, and claimed to have proper licences.
Angry fans flooded social media after video of the incident emerged calling it an act of ‘animal cruelty to have had the kangaroo on stage’.
‘I didn’t think Mike Epps playing with that kangaroo last night was funny at all. That kangaroo looked miserable and ready to snap.’ another user wrote.
Users on Reddit were also outraged with some commentators calling Epps a ‘disgrace’.
Following the angry feedback from fans, Epps attempted to quash any talk of animal cruelty.
Appearing alongside the handler Epps posted a backstage video of himself feeding a banana to a different kangaroo than the one that appeared on stage.
‘Yeah what’s the problem? Look how nice I am to him,’ Epps captioned the video.
Yet some were having none of his ‘apology’, saying it was a poor deflection his insensitive behaviour.
‘Keep your bull**** apology and your weak attempt at damage control. You were on camera abusing an animal. You suck for that’, the Twitter user wrote.