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Puppy-throwing Marine Discharged from Corps

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NEW YORK -- Administrative action has been taken by the Marine Corps against two Marines, where one will be discharged and the other disciplined, for their roles in a video documenting a puppy being thrown off a cliff while on patrol in Iraq.

The 17-second video -- posted on YouTube March 3 -- drew instant international attention, spawning the ire of animal rights groups and an immediate investigation by the Marine Corps.

With the “thorough” and “swift” investigation concluded, Lance Corporal David Motari is “being processed for seperation” from the Marine Corps and Sergeant Crismarvin Banez Encarnacion has received a Non-Judicial Punishment, the Marine Corps released in a statement last week.

While the Marine Corps could not confirm the specific roles of each Marine in the recorded incident due to the Privacy Act, Motari is allegedly believed to be responsible for throwing the black and white puppy as the action is purportedly filmed by Encarnacian, who ducks on camera briefly, and is then heard saying “that’s mean. That’s mean, Motari.”

The same day the video was posted, it was removed from YouTube in violation of the site’s terms and conditions, but not before it acquired tens of thousands of views.

Motari, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment at Kaneohe Day, Hawaii, also received an unspecified NJP in addition to being expelled from the Corps.

The characterization of Motari’s discharge is private since it -- like the Non-Judicial Punishment both Marines received -- is not releasable as an administrative action.

But under an NJP, the commanding officer can award punishment up to 60 days of restriction, 45 days of extra duties, forfeiture of one-half pay for up to two months and reduction in rank by one grade, Marine Corps Base spokesman 1st Lt. Binford Strickland told Pet Pulse.

When the incident actually occurred is unknown, but it is believed to have taken place at some point during 22-year-old Motari’s seven month deployment in Iraq which concluded October 2007.

Motari, who enlisted December 2004, also served with the same regiment in Afghanistan. His awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.

Encarnacion is attached to the Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

In March, Cpt. Binstock, a media officer for the Division of Public Affairs at the Marines' Pentagon headquarters, told Pet Pulse that the incident “was shocking, really devastating, and going against everything we stand for as Marines.”

The Marine Corps’ position that the video clip is not the norm for troop behavior is highlighted by recent stories of Marines like Maj. Brian Dennis and former Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman going to extraordinary lengths to save, befriend and bring dogs back to the United States.

To view Pet Pulse’s previous story, “Video Shows a U.S. Marine Throw a Puppy Down an Iraq Hillside,” visitwww.zootoo.com

To view the original Pet Pulse editorial, visitwww.zootoo.com

Tell us what you think about “Puppy-throwing Marine Discharged from Corps” below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204.



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Sheryl J.
Sheryl J. (sheryl59)
3 months ago
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The Marine Corp must be very embarrased, but I appreciate the fact they did not take it lighly and acted swiftly. These men are suppose to protect those who can not protect themselves, what a shame!
 
Mark W.
Mark W. (MarkDoris)
3 months ago
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These guys are a disgrace to their country, all branches of Military service, and all of mankind. This is dispicable. Here I have heard of the stories about the soldiers bringing the dogs home to America and then this. Oh, words cannot speak what I am feeling roght now. They need some serious wall to wall counseling and then lets punish them according to military justice.
 
DorisWilloughby
DorisWilloughby
3 months ago
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H should have embraced the little and gave him a loving home for Gods sake. dont want some one so cruel claiming to be a hero.HE'S A ZERO.So is his camera man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
jeg3434
jeg3434
3 months ago
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Such abuse should not go unpunished.
 
Cindi K.
Cindi K. (tinaturner)
4 months ago
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sent this man to prison. What a sad thing to do to a puppy.
 
DEREKDEMANE
DEREKDEMANE
4 months ago
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Being a former police in the United States Air Force, both these guys are losers. Both should get the big "L' tattooed on their forehead so that every one will know what kind of human beings they truly are.
 
Paula  H.
Paula H. (theolddog1)
4 months ago
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This guy is a total disgrace to the human race
 
Susan P.
Susan P. (fripogle)
4 months ago
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I think he needs to serve some serious time behind bars before being discharged.
 
Liann L.
Liann L. (Liann)
4 months ago
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Soldiers in battle are sometimes forced to do things that they wouldn't do under ordinary circumstances. These two soldiers can't make that claim. What they did goes beyond sick and depraved. That was an innocent puppy, and their callous disregard for its life makes me scared to have them walk the streets of America.
 
Betty W.
Betty W. (BettyWood)
4 months ago
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He's a disgrace to the uniform. He should be dishonorably discharged.
 
Samantha I.
Samantha I. (Kerri6)
4 months ago
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What ashame and how sad.
 
John S.
John S. (JohnDavid)
4 months ago
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What in the world is right.... what was he thinking?
 
oldmaidcatwoman
oldmaidcatwoman
5 months ago
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What in the world happened that a highly decorated Marine ended up doing something so cruel?
 
Bad bad bad
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
7 months ago
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Anonymous
Anonymous
7 months ago
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vbspcablog
vbspcablog
8 months ago
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We can't just let them get away with something like this obviously, but the fact of the matter is that when you're thrown into an insanely stressful situation such as war it's going to warp your mind in ways that people who've never been to war couldn't even imagine. The best thing we can do for them is to give them the psychological help they need to return to normal when they get back.
 
Mark J.
Mark J. (MonarchMark)
8 months ago
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Denise T. is my type of person. These Marines need some kind of psychiatric help.
 
Denise T.
Denise T. (ddt0725)
8 months ago
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Discharged where? Into society? I know where I'd like to discharge him...right off that cliff!
 
Lynn
Lynn (azcrazygirl)
8 months ago
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When my husband & I first saw this video, we thought it was a doctored photo...but they we found out he really did this....I'm so glad the military discharged him....He's really a heartless individual...
 
Tessa
Tessa (celtiycknot)
9 months ago
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. His awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal,..oh really..and this is what they consdier good conduct? I know where he should have the medal shoved . worthless individual that he is.
 
mike z.
mike z. (mzev)
9 months ago
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i still cant believe this kid
 
Mary Ann P.
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Oh God wish I did not look at this article. That photo will haunt me for a long, long time. Disgusting. I feel sick. Wish someone would take him by the scruff of his skinny neck and toss him off a cliff.
 
John H.
John H. (JohnH)
9 months ago
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Discharged?? This is another guy who is too much of a coward so he perfoms his cruelty on defenseless beings. Stick him a jail with Bubba.
 
Carol L.
Carol L. (langsford)
9 months ago
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To be tossed out and treated like a piece of garbage is horrible, I am glad this person was discharged, toss a puppy and film it - WHY did he think a normal person would want to see anything this horrible, sick
 
daryl b.
daryl b. (darylob)
9 months ago
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i haden't heard of this. i am literaly shocked. i know that these boys and men do thing under the conditions they are in that they never dream they would do. so now hopefully punishment will stop them from ever doing anything like it again
 
Carol L.
Carol L. (langsford)
9 months ago
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This is disgusting, why in the world would you do this let alone video tape to be viewed, this is so totally sick and why would anyone want to see this anyway. He should get far more punishment than being discharged. He is a sicko
 
Jeannie W.
Jeannie W. (3dogmomm)
10 months ago
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Discharged? That's all? This man belongs in jail for a long, long time!
 
Chris
Chris (animaldaddy)
10 months ago
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He values no living thing. He deserves series jail time. He should become familiar w/ the term " court martial " . I do not want to hear he was discharged w/ any benefits from the service.
He isn't mentally challenged just a cruel, vile excuse for a human being.
 
k r.
k r. (jkrepp1)
10 months ago
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Thank you for letting us know what the outcome was for that dispicable marine. They are so stupid, they post videos like this, and let everyone know what kind of human beings they are.
 
klpowell2
klpowell2
10 months ago
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You know this is pretty disgusting these guys probably got a slap on the wrist. This is horrible publicity for the marines and if i were them I would be working major damage control. Anytime someone can kill an animal let alone laugh about it they have some serious issues. Animal killing is what most serial killers start out doing. This guy needs to be watched carefully to make sure he can't be near another animal again. People around him might want to be careful too!
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
11 months ago
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Vicki T.
Vicki T. (LuvYourPets)
10 months ago
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You are absolutely right on all counts; I couldn't agree with you more.
 
Ileana W.
Ileana W. (mission)
11 months ago
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It's unbelievable the things some do to animals just because they can not talk. I can't imagine what the marine was thinking of at the moment of his actions against the poor pup. It's revolting.
 
Vicki T.
Vicki T. (LuvYourPets)
10 months ago
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Yes, revolting is a perfect word for Motari's actions. I wish he'd go and fall off of a cliff! I'm not a criminal, or I might be tempted to tell him to "back up just a little bit more so I could get a better picture".
 
Rachel
Rachel (rache12581)
11 months ago
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I was so disgusted when I saw the video on you tube, I was hoping it was a twisted prank. Someone needs to throw those guys over a cliff.
 
Vicki T.
Vicki T. (LuvYourPets)
10 months ago
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Oh, gosh, Rachel. You actually saw the video? I'm glad I didn't because it would cause nightmares.
 
Rachel
Rachel (rache12581)
10 months ago
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unfortuntally yes, when I found out it was real I cried for weeks
 
Vicki T.
Vicki T. (LuvYourPets)
10 months ago
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Oh, Rache, I'm so sorry. You must have been so traumatized by that. I'm VERY sorry. The more I get to know you, I see that you are a very sensitive, caring, animal loving person. My heart goes out to you.
 
Donna S.
Donna S. (DonnaSully)
11 months ago
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That poor puppy!! My son is in the military and he served over in Iraq for 18 months. They are trained in survival against thier enemies. This puppy was nobody's enemy and did not deserve being thrown over a cliff!!!
 
alysha  a.
alysha a. (alysha200101)
11 months ago
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wow why would he do that? what did that puppy ever do to him? they were right to discharge him too.
 
Nina
Nina (Naz14)
11 months ago
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Oh my gosh! I am SO glad that he got discharged! That had to be one of the saddest things ive ever watched!
 
Christina
Christina (TrooperScout)
11 months ago
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It is sad when you see something like this. It is horrible animal cruelty and it makes a really good group of men look bad. I was very glad to see YouTube pull the video clip so quickly and the Marine Corp take such quick action at investigating the issue.

I think it is important that this article was written to show this sort of behavior is not accepted, but it is also upsetting that someone was heartless enough to commit the act thus causing the story to need be written and taking away news time that could instead have been used to show the countless number of good deeds that are being done by Marines world wide.

So a big thank you to all of the animal lovers out there that are willing to take a stand for animal rights and a big thank you to all of our troops out there taking a stand for our rights!
 
 Rhonda F.
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I think they could find better things to do there like what they are sent there for .It is very sad to see them doing that. Also On my ASPCA site is the same group and we fould out the judge dismissed the video about it but punished them for doing that.
 
Lee Z.
Lee Z. (BunLove)
11 months ago
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There are many good people fighting over there that have not lost their humanity.
I dread to think what a solider who could do that to an innocent, defenseless puppy, may be doing to humans that are not his enemy. If he gets joy out of killing a puppy, does he get joy out of killing civilians?
He should go to jail and receive extensive counseling. Those who kill animals often end up killing people for the bigger thrill.
For all in the service that start to get a thrill out of killing, they should be immediately removed and hospitalized in a psychiatric ward for the safety of others.
For a soldier, any killing should be because it has to be, and it's ok to feel sorrow afterwards for having to have taken a life.
 
skipban
skipban
11 months ago
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I do not want people like these defending me or my country. They are not patriots.
 
Elisabeth B.
Elisabeth B. (Elli10)
11 months ago
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These marines are despicable. I don’t know how anyone, war or not can do something like that to an innocent creature. He not only should be dismissed from the Marines but serve a jail sentence. This sort of animal cruelty for their pure amusement should not go unpunished. If being in Iraq did have some influence over this man's actions then it just goes to show why war is not the answer and our young soldiers are being brainwashed to be killing machines.
 
Lynn C.
Lynn C. (Lynn1)
11 months ago
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I read comments that indicated we cannot judge the Marine(s) who threw the puppy over a cliff because of the terrible conditions of war, and what they are required to do. While it's true that unless you've been in a war, you can't know the terrible mental and physical stress that each man/woman is subject to ~ but each of us knows what constitutes cruelty. Whether caused by war or by his own nature, the Marine who threw the puppy over a cliff engaged in overt and unnecessary cruelty. I for one am very glad that he was drummed out of the service. Who knows what else he did to other helpless people or animals.
 
Ashley  H.
Ashley H. (coyoteluver)
11 months ago
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I just want to know how anyone can kill a cute cuddly puppy, even if it did belong to an enemy. An animal is innocent.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
11 months ago
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ronatha
ronatha
11 months ago
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Interestingly enough Zetau I had a similar thought when I read this for the first time. I actually saw the video and was so disturbed and horrified by it I thought it may not be real. I do not currently know a soldier in this war but I do know how I was affected by the World Trade Center's demise. My sister was there when the planes hit and was so overwhelmed with the horrer (she witnessed the body parts and screaming people running for their lives) and disbelief she did not return our calls for days--she was unable to process this much death. We knew she was there and were panicking when we tried to reach her for days to no avail. I also broke down and cried often for over a year as I had watched the towers being built and spent many nights at Windows of the World Restuarant near the top floor--even got engaged there. People are changed by such horror and sometimes not in good ways. This soldier may have had to kill our "enemies" and for his own self defense mentally he changed his view of life. He may have done it because this war incorrectly taught him to be callous toward life or maybe he really is a sociopath. Although we are disgusted by this action we are not in the position to judge him.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
11 months ago
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Nelson M.
Nelson M. (shadrack)
11 months ago
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While it is true that Post Traumatic Stress alters reason and deserves immediate treatment and understanding, I cannot minimize or excuse what these men did. True, we did put them there, however, one or two Marines do not patrol solo. A squad or company of Marines has a few NCO's responsible for the actions of those under their command and the Corp did the right thing by disciplining them. Likewise, the Marine Corp should treat these men for PTSD and make all the benefits of military service available to them; they've learned a tough lesson here.

I've been to war and what sets us apart from those that we are fighting is our capacity for decency, humanity, and compassion. Make no mistake, servicemen and women have died because of "service before all else." Americans are expected not to kill prisoners, mistreat civilians, and in this case abuse an animal. This was not a case of a "wicked firefight" or "seeing a dead buddy" getting the best of a few young Marines.

These young men did what reckless or misguided young people do in this country--just read the articles on this site--from throwing kittens from moving vehicles, to dog fighting, and mutilation.

No, I will not find reason in this heinous act and commend the Marines for taking swift action. There are no finer soldiers, sailers, Marines, or Airmen than the American servicemen because they are expected to act professionally and readily accept the consequences for anything less.
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Anonymous
Anonymous
11 months ago
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ronatha
ronatha
11 months ago
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I didn't mean the military taught him--I meant his own mind created that to make it easier for him to keep doing it. Your brain can create amazing ways for you to keep functioning when their are such horrific and painful things going around you. This process is normal but can sometimes it goes too far for normal society. I also said he could be a sociopath--one who has no remorse and its "normal" to be cruel (although not to the rest of humanity--these are usually serial killers)
 
bhsyaywwe
bhsyaywwe
11 months ago
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WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this dude must have frigen BRAIN DAMAGE or something i can see if it bites u u yell or flik it on the nose or something like that but THROWING IT DOWN A CLIFF!!!!!!!!!!!! i mean even if it did hurt u it must have had a good reason they should put all of the people who participated in it in frigen jail once they do it there ganna keep doing it few people change and the government is like o ya we love animals to u see wat there doing animal abusers like this dude who is supposivly fighting for are country part of fighting for us is fighting for the animals 2 the government isint giving them a real punishment all these shows i watch and stuff happining in brockton or boston more then half the people dont even spend up to a year in jail i think the time should be raised and the bail the worse it is the better chance they wont do it again im sorry but i wouldn't want to even spit in this dudes direction if i hada choice be saved by the people who did that or be thrown off a cliff i would rather be thrown down the cliff it really PS me off when someone does that becouse of soemhting the dog did but when it was minding it's own business its frigen rediculess the more the government allwos this crap to keep happening it will get worse and worse then move on to people on diffrent levels my friends got this partichin thingy like u sign it were trying to get longer jail time and higher bail for animal abusers plzz suppost us lol and the animals did the puppy die? couse i know when dogs got shot and u know ran over and they survived if ur alive puppy dont worry no one will ever hurt u again if u arnt we will get justic for u and he will get wat is comign to him ROCK ON PUPPY lol
 
Diane T.
Diane T. (dtran86)
1 year ago
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I can not bare to think a person who is fighting for our country is a heartless person. In WHAT RIGHT OF MIND DID HE THINK THAT WOULD BE FUNNY! Sorry to be rude, but how would he like it if i threw him off the mountain. I can't believe it, it was an innocent dog, just minding it own business and who would've known it was the last time it would see light. I hope that justice will be serve, because we all known that a large percent of Americans are animal lovers, and we will fight for the dog and make sure his actions proved injustice.
 
KELEZ
KELEZ
1 year ago
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There is no punishment good-enough for this disgrace!
 
sheila f.
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What a senseless act of cruelty.....I glad their names are out there for public ridicule. At least something was done, even if it is not enough.
 
cherylaine
cherylaine
1 year ago
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All of the medals that the one man received have now been tarnished by this brutal, senseless act. I have Marines in my family who were shocked and ashamed of this behavior. Marine = Honor.......in most cases.
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