Two teens arrested for animal cruelty over a shocking video showing a pit bull puppy being hurled in the air and repeatedly punched
A graphic video showing a boy viciously throwing and punching a puppy has gone viral and led to the arrests of two teenagers.
The shocking 32-second clip was posted Tuesday on a Facebook page associated with Coates Keshawn, of St Louis, Missouri.
The video begins with a teen grabbing a light-brown pit bull puppy under his front paws and hurling the animal over his head.
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO BELOW
Vile video: A 32-second video showing the horrific abuse of a pit bull puppy was posted Tueday on the Facebook page of a St Louis, Missouri, resident named Coates Keshawn
What was he thinking? The teen in the video is shown flipping the dog in the air twice
Another boy, who presumably shot the video, could be heard laughing in the background as his friend slams the pooch to the ground.
He picks up the pet and flips him over his head a second time before pinning the pit bull down and repeatedly punching him.
The horrifying video ends with the smiling teen again grabbing the listless puppy under his front paws, with his hind legs dangling in the air, and carrying him towards the house.
Investigators with the St Louis Police Department told the station KTVI they are looking into the allegations of abuse.
MailOnline attempted to contact the law enforcement agency Thursday night, but no one was immediately available for comment.
Consequences: Both the teen seen assaulting the puppy and the boy behind the camera have been arrested
Heartless: The teenage boy repeatedly punched the listless pooch and dragged him around, drawing peals of laughter from his friend filming the abuse
The video has quickly gone viral before Keshawn's Facebook page was disabled Thursday.
Before the account was shut down, the clip was shared over 4,400 times. Some viewers left angry comments demanding to know why the innocent dog was subjected to such cruelty.
Online user Hezakya Madison, who is not believed to be connected in any way to the incident, shared the footage on his Facebook page Thursday in the hopes that the teens responsible for the abuse will be brought to justice, as he told MailOnline over the phone.
Healing process: The puppy seen in the video has been seized by animal control and will be treated by a veterinarian
Police said the pup in the video has been seized by animal control. He will be evaluated by a veterinarian and treated for any injuries.
Meanwhile, KSDK reported that the two minors have been referred to the Family Court to face animal abuse charges.
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