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Man Fined $4,000 For Kicking A Defenceless Quokka

It was a quokka soccer shocker.
Quokkas on the Rottnest Island in Australia.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Quokkas on the Rottnest Island in Australia.

A man has been fined $4,000 for kicking a quokka on Rottnest Island, the small island off Perth which the adorable marsupials call home.

Harrison Angus McPherson, 20, was charged in February after a video showing some pretty indescribable cruelty was uploaded to Snapchat.

We've chosen not to put the video in this piece, because a man kicking a defenceless marsupial is every bit as sickening as you'd imagine. You can watch it here, or you can look at these adorable pictures of quokkas -- which we think is the most damning indictment on those who would hurt them.

They're a real quok of nature.
Schafer & Hill via Getty Images
They're a real quok of nature.

McPherson pleaded guilty to one charge of ill treating an animal Fremantle Magistrate's Court, and said he had been drinking that day and was not aware he was being filmed.

His lawyer described his behaviour as "impulsive, opportunistic and completely out of character" and said his client had sought counselling "as a result of his own contrition and remorse". He said McPherson had received many nasty emails and even death threats from members of the public.

It's inconceivable that anyone could harm one of these.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
It's inconceivable that anyone could harm one of these.

McPherson's friend Corey Douglas James -- who took the video and uploaded it to social media -- was fined $3,500 earlier this year after pleading guilty to the same charge.

The duo are not the first to torment the quokkas on Rottnest Island. As the West Australian reports, at least four other people have been fined in the past two years for cruelty to the little animals, who are known for having what looks like a perennial smile on their face.

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