US Marines investigating shocking 'puppy torture' video

The US military is under fire after a YouTube video has surfaced showing a Marine seemingly throwing a yelping puppy into an Iraqi gully.

The clip showed two Marines dressed in combat gear, one holding the young dog by the scruff of its neck.

The dog, which looks about eight weeks old, is motionless.

"Cute little puppy, huh?" one Marine can be heard saying.

"Oh so cute, so cute little puppy," the other responds in a child-like voice.

The Marine holding the dog then turns and throws it into the valley. The animal can be heard yelping until it hits the ground.

A spokesman for the American military condemned the video as "shocking and deplorable" and said an investigation was underway into the incident.

Marine spokesman Major Chris Perrine said the culprit was believed to be based in Hawaii.

The soldiers appear to be Hawaiian and the Marine Corps Oahu base issued a statement saying the "video is shocking and deplorable and is contrary to the high standards the Marine Corps expects of every Marine".

"The Marine Corps does not tolerate this type of behaviour and will take appropriate action," Marine Corps spokesman Major Chris Perrine said.

"The vast majority of Marines conduct themselves in an honourable manner that brings great credit upon the Marine Corps and the United States.

"There have been numerous stories of Marines adopting pets and bringing them home from Iraq or helping to arrange life-saving medical care for Iraqi children.

"These are the stories that exemplify what the Marine Corps stands for and how most Marines behave."

However a number of major US websites speculate the video is a fake, albeit a sick one, and the video has now been removed from YouTube.

- © Fairfax NZ News