MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Police are aware of a video circling social media of a man throwing a kitten high into the sky.
The kitten can be seen landing on the ground and slowly crawling away.
You can hear people, including children laughing in the background.
The man is heard saying the kitten used the bathroom on his bed as the reason.
According to Antonio Grayer, who posted the video, the incident happened a few months ago but was posted to Facebook on Friday.
Grayer claimed the incident happened in North Memphis off of Hollywood.
People posting on Facebook are criticizing the video by calling it animal abuse, but Memphis Police said it would be difficult to charge Grayer.
Tennessee has specific definitions of cruelty to animals.
“Typically, we wouldn’t be able to prosecute an offender unless the animal was grossly injured, tortured or maimed,” a police spokesperson said.
Grayer said the kitten now has a new owner.
Anyone wishing to report cruelty can call the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County cruelty hotline at 901-937-3910 or email reportcruelty@memphishumane.org.
Here are state by state animal cruelty laws.