Shocking Video Shows U.S. Soldier Throwing Puppy Off Cliff

Animal rights advocates (and virtually every other human being) are in shock over this video showing U.S. soldiers showing a puppy off a cliff for fun. Bloggers have allegedly identified the culprit as a David Motari, but this has not been confirmed by the military and there remains the identity of the other soldiers. It is also not the first such video of animal cruelty by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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This video has been racing around the Internet and shows two U.S. soldiers cooing over a cute puppy and then throwing him a great distance as the puppy is heard whining. This type of cruelty to animals would violate a host of military rules and could (and should if true) lead to a court martial. The question is whether the Department of Defense has investigated, as it should. This is something that Congress can do to force action. Inquiries from members about the video and identity of the soldiers would be enough to trigger an investigation.

Unless this is somehow doctored, these are obviously two soldiers who have no place in the service — particularly if they are (as it seems) stationed in the Middle East where we are trying to reduce any unnecessary use of force.

This is not the first such shocking video showing such cruelty. In 2007, a video showed U.S. soldiers taunting a crippled dog. Click here.

In the meantime, bloggers are working to identify the culprits and claim to have succeeded, click here. As noted here, the Marines believe they may have identified the soldier in Hawaii.

32 Responses to “Shocking Video Shows U.S. Soldier Throwing Puppy Off Cliff”


  1. 1 Matt 1, March 3, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    His name is David Motari, and I think we should throw HIS ass off a cliff.

  2. 2 jonathanturley 1, March 3, 2008 at 6:06 pm

    I will assume that you are referring to Motari’s derrière and not another defenseless animal.

  3. 3 Yo 1, March 4, 2008 at 1:37 pm

    That video looks pretty fake to me.

  4. 4 Tony 1, March 4, 2008 at 9:15 pm

    I don’t care if the dog is already dead, I don’t care if the dog is a stuffed animal. I don’t care if the video is fake, you are alive and shouldn’t be.

    This is not a joke to screw around with. A lot of people are seeing this and will make their own judgment or simply be told by what they read on line and on TV. SO kids will be seeing this sick shit and associate our military with these actions. That this kind of behavior is OK and “COOL” to your peers.

    Didn’t the stupid ass moron realize it might be possible that this might get out in public and effect people. Look at all the heat it’s generating.

    There is a lot of other documented cruelty to humans and animals by our military. It doesn’t surprise me, as these fucktards have no clue what the hell they are suppose to do as a human on this planet.

  5. 5 Ben 1, March 4, 2008 at 10:27 pm

    I believe this definitely deserves a court martial. Not only for this asshole, but everyone that was standing there and didn’t do anything about it. This is the kind of behavior that continues to give Americans (American soldiers in particular) a bad name, and I am ashamed to have these individuals representing me and my country overseas.

  6. 6 Suzy 1, March 4, 2008 at 11:31 pm

    The fact that this is being so widely publisized is what makes me sick. The news no longer reports news it reports videos to manipulate our emotions as Americans. The media wants our soldiers to look bad. That is why anything that they do is so widely spread. Is this really what is going on in Afgan? no it isn’t but this is what the media wants you to think is going on. I seriously doubt that every soldier is throwing puppies off a cliff and laughing wildly. You’ve got to be kidding me. Two idiots who obviously need to be Court marshalled out just for the simple fact that they are total idiots. It’s too bad the media doesn’t put so much effort into reporting child abuse and the starving kids in America. wow. I’m in aw.

  7. 7 James 1, March 5, 2008 at 12:19 am

    Not everyone on this planet is concerned with child abuse and the starving kids in America. To many, animal abuse is a much harsher crime. This soldier deserves the same treatment he delivered to that pup. Real or not, he’s a sick pig. Nothing a bullet to the head can’t take care of, and I don’t doubt that if his identity is found out someone will take care of business.

  8. 8 Patty C 1, March 5, 2008 at 3:40 am

    http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/04/puppy.marine/index.html?iref=topne

    (CNN) — The military is investigating a “shocking and deplorable” YouTube video that seems to show a Marine throwing a puppy off a rocky cliff.
    art.marine.puppy.youtube.jpg

    YouTube.com removed the video for violating the Web site’s terms of use.

    The black-and-white puppy makes a yelping sound as it flies through the air.

    “That’s mean, that was mean,” one companion says off-camera, addressing the alleged puppy thrower by his last name. The fate of the animal is not known.

    The Marine is identified on the video and in other Internet postings as a lance corporal stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe.

    It’s not clear where the video was shot, although the man who appears to throw the puppy and another Marine are in full combat gear with helmets.

    YouTube.com had taken down the video by 12:30 p.m. ET Tuesday “due to terms of use violation,” according to a banner on the Web site.

    “This is a shocking and deplorable video that is contrary to the high standards that we set for every Marine,” Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Chris Perrine said at a news conference Monday night.

    “We will investigate this and take appropriate actions,” Perrine said. Video Watch other Marines and civilians react to the video »

    He said the Marine is being kept safe in view of the anger over the alleged incident.

    Perrine added that the majority of Marines conduct themselves honorably.

    “There are many examples of Marines who adopt pets and bring them back from Iraq and demonstrate their compassion on a daily basis,” he said.

    If the video is deemed legitimate, the lance corporal could face a charge of conduct unbecoming a Marine, Perrine said. There could be administrative action, nonjudicial punishment or a court-martial, he added.
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    “It’s all governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and anything from reduction in pay to reduction in rank to confinement to discharge from the Marine Corps” is possible, Perrine said. If others are involved, they too will be disciplined, he said.

    “Certainly, there’s a lot of outrage, and a lot of people are upset about it. I think every Marine is upset about this video,” he said. “We hope that it turns out not to be what it looks like.”

  9. 9 Trish 1, March 6, 2008 at 2:08 am

    This guy deserves any punishment that comes his way. Completely deplorable behavior- great to see our tax money paying for these idiots to carry out this behavior. I have heard reports that this is a fake, that the puppy is already dead, but no matter- it is still disgusting. I agree with a lot of other people & say throw this a-hole over a cliff. It makes me sick to my stomach to think there are people who think this kind of treatment of animals, especially a poor, defenseless puppy, is acceptable. This guy should be kicked out & imprisoned for being an idiot. I hope he is ashamed & is getting a lot of heat for this. Really makes me proud of our Marines!

  10. 10 jonathanturley 1, March 6, 2008 at 8:40 am

    Trish:

    I think that the Marines themselves will be the harshest judges of his conduct. I believe that his removal from the service would be sufficient punishment in this case, even without jail time. Notably, this is another case of the power of video. If this video did not exist, the mere account of throwing a puppy off a cliff would likely have produced nothing more than a verbal, unofficial reprimand. Even now, advocates are treating this as an attack on everyone serving abroad — a rather bizarre extension.

  11. 11 Raven van der Colff 1, March 7, 2008 at 8:12 am

    Wot is the world coming to? I don’t understand this nonsense anymore! People are very sick things and should all be killed for doing that – and worse of all I’m almost 100% sure that the dog wasn’t even dead after that fall. Wot a horrible death for the poor dog! I hate you sick people. Psychos – I can’t believe this anymore you make me so angry!!!!!!!!!!!! This is wot real hate feels like!!!!!!!!!

  12. 12 cab 1, March 7, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    i hope this guy gets thrown off a cliff! I love animals those guys and big fat retarted retards!

  13. 13 cab 1, March 7, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    They can fot in h- e double hockey stick for all i care!

  14. 14 cab 1, March 7, 2008 at 8:37 pm

    The can ROT in h-e double hockey stick.

  15. 15 Patty C 1, March 7, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    jonathanturley 1, March 6, 2008 at 8:40 am

    Trish:

    I think that the Marines themselves will be the harshest judges of his conduct. I believe that his removal from the service would be sufficient punishment in this case, even without jail time. Notably, this is another case of the power of video. If this video did not exist, the mere account of throwing a puppy off a cliff would likely have produced nothing more than a verbal, unofficial reprimand. Even now, advocates are treating this as an attack on everyone serving abroad — a rather bizarre extension.

    ***
    Thanks for presenting the story on ‘Day 1′, JT. As an avid
    critter lover, I contacted my Rep ASAP ie first thing-in the wee
    hours. I can only trust it helped.
    xxx

  16. 16 Jack 1, April 12, 2008 at 11:40 pm

    I think some people who have left messages should take a big step back and ask themselves who here is the homicidal maniac? Yeah, the guy threw an innocent pup(That REALLY looked fake, admit it or not) down a cliff. That’s a shitty thing to do and he’ll get his just deserves via the Marines.

    You people who are threatening him with every possible variation of a painful death… God, it’s YOU jackasses that sicken me in this situation. I don’t see any of you crying a river over the kids that will end up dying in Iraq, or the ones that already have. The most I’ve heard ANYONE say about that matter is ‘Oh, well… a human can defend themself.’

    Of course, how silly of me to forget that any human being(child or adult) can face a guy with an army-standard rifle and ‘defend themselves’. What are they going to do, people? Throw themselves at the guy? Newsflash: Not everyone in the world is Robocop OR a hero.

    So yeah, it’s a right sin that the pup(That I believe to be fake) was thrown, and the public had every right to be pissed off. Go for it!

    But if you think that gives you the right to threaten someone’s LIFE, or that it’s OK to grovel over a dog, but not your own species… well, I suggest you all grow a fucking backbone and get your morals straight. Or start firebombing some cancer research labs, they use plenty of animal ‘victims’.

    So go on. Stop bitching and kill a few people like you’ve been threatening. Get arrested. Go to jail.

    And when you get there, remember not to bend over in the shower or you’ll get what’s coming to YOU.

    - Jack

  17. 17 scott 1, May 8, 2008 at 11:01 am

    Look Jack, that pup is real and that asshole did throw him to his frightful death for no reason. Since you think it’s fake, I hope you and that soldier get yanked up from life and thrown into hell forever. The fact that children are suffering does not justify the actions of killing an innocent dog.

  18. 18 Tony C. 1, June 11, 2008 at 11:15 pm

    Hey stupid. Yes you, all those idiots who don’t know nothing about anything. Usful idiots, the lot of you.

    Do you know how Muslims treat Dogs? How dogs are treated in muslim countries? How they send groups of men to shoot dogs on sight?

    No? Because you all are hypocritical anti-war peacnik idiots. The same idiots who say we should not pour water on a terrorist’s head (waterboard) yet don’t have anything to say about the terrorist cutting the heads off innocent civilians and broadcasting it on TV.

    You make me sick.

  19. 19 mespo727272 1, June 12, 2008 at 8:01 am

    Tony C:

    Without getting too much into your naive conservative rant, to say that water boarding is like pouring water over a terrorist’s head is like saying our animal-loving Marine here just gave the poor puppy a better view of the gully.

  20. 20 donnie 1, June 12, 2008 at 6:23 pm

    AS I FROM VIETNAM,UNDERSTAND THE RULES OF MILITARY ,DO NOT HURT WOMEN ,CHILDREN AND SUCH.THIS ACT TELLS ME THE MILITARY NEEDS TO RE-THINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO#1 HURT NOTHING THAT DOESNT HURT YOU ,NO#2HELP ALL THAT YOU CAN HELP ,IN YOUR POSITION,NO#TRUST IN A HIGHER POWER AND TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS UPON YOUSELF .!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY SHOULD BE DISHONERABLY DISCHARGHED ALONG WITH SERVING TIME. I ,PERSONALALLY DID NOT SEE ANY EXPLOSIVES STRAPPED TO ITS CHEST.TEY NEED TO PAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  21. 21 Shaylyn 1, June 25, 2008 at 12:50 am

    That’s sick. This is not a person I want representing my country. Get him out. This guy needs help. And a fricken push toward hell cause he’s just not getting there fast enough.

  22. 22 uct2 1, June 25, 2008 at 4:41 am

    I believe this video about as much as I believe Obama is a black man. Come on people! Use your brains. You believe David Coperfield?? How many people think this video is real but deny they existence of God?? They guy brings the dog down out of view, switches him out and then throws something else away. The video surfaced on a FOREIGN site first and it’s blurry as hell anyway. O.K. so the fact remains that I am an extreme animal lover. In fact I like most animals much better than people. I have 4 dogs, 5 rabbits and 2 birds as members or my family. So don’t come at me with any of your left wing crap. Also, I am soooo not a Republican either so you can put that in your pipe and smoke it too! Just a smart person that thinks for theirselves and refuses to let extreme politicos dictate to me what is or isn’t the truth without thinking it through myself.

  23. 23 sid 1, October 15, 2008 at 3:09 am

    well his next life is already written
    i hope he gets kidnapped in iraq and the insurgents skin him alive
    i bet he comes from an italian background
    ill run him over with a fucke nsteam roller slow mode fast mode backwards and leave it there for good

  24. 24 stephanie 1, October 15, 2008 at 6:20 pm

    its not fake, and he should get shit for this all his life. Hey David, as soon as you get sick, come to my house…ill throw you off a fucking cliff. If thats how they kill you, Id laugh my ass off, because you seemed to enjoy it when it was the puppy being thrown.

  25. 25 dj 1, February 9, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    u fucking dick head david how u like it i throw u off a cliff u would not like it because u be dead asshole and uare a shitface DICK HEAD

  26. 26 jake 1, February 9, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    I have seen a post that the soldier said that the puppy was sick and that he didnt want the dog to die a slow painful death and instead of shooting it he was being creative that day and he said that back at camp there isnt medicine for animals but that still dosent give him the right to kill a small and defenseless puppy. Maybe he could have brough it back to camp and maybe there might have been medicine for the animal without him knwoing it.

  27. 27 Jericho 1, February 9, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    Shocking? Sick? Psycho?

    The Iraq invasion was sick and shocking, this looks like healthy training….

  28. 28 Anonymouse Coward 1, March 4, 2009 at 12:38 am

    “The question is whether the Department of Defense has investigated, as it should.”

    Yes, I’m sure the government really has time to take out of its schedule to hunt down one soldier for killing one dog in A FUCKING WAR ZONE.

  29. 29 Anonymouse Coward 1, March 4, 2009 at 12:52 am

    Oh and I love the hollow, poorly-worded threats coming out of here. The video hasn’t even been proven to be real, and yet you immediately start calling for this guy’s death.
    And why do you little fucks put so much value into animal life? The same soldier could have easily put a bullet in the head of an innocent civilian man, who could be a father, someone’s brother, uncle, anyone and you wouldn’t bat an eye. Ever.

  30. 30 Anonymouse Coward 1, March 4, 2009 at 12:55 am

    Scott:
    The world is not a nice place, and Jesus is not going to throw everyone you don’t like into a fire pit when they die. Wake up, grow up.

  31. 31 Buddha Is Laughing 1, March 4, 2009 at 3:34 am

    Anonymouse Psycho is more like it. Not that this matters, your posts will soon be redacted.

    You don’t need to grow up. You need a doctor.

    There is a difference between an indiscriminate killer and a soldier. Here. Let me shine a light on what I mean, Francis. The article is titled “The Link Between Animal Abuse and Serial Killers”. You could write your drivel, so I assume you can read.

    http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/425882/the_link_between_animal_abuse_and_serial.html?cat=47

    The world is not a nice place. It’d be nicer without people like you in it. Or at least if you were properly medicated. If you are in the military and drunk (which is what you sound like, a defensive raving drunk head case), you don’t need to wear a dress, Klinger. You’ll be getting that Section 8 soon enough.


  1. 1 YouTube Removes Video of Puppy Being Thrown Off Cliff by Marine « JONATHAN TURLEY Trackback on 1, March 10, 2008 at 9:28 am

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