'Not the answer': Animal cruelty investigation launched after video of opossum lit on fire goes viral (2025)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina wildlife officials are investigating a disturbing case of animal cruelty after a video showing an opossum being set on fire began circulating on social media in Charlotte. Officials believe the case could result in felony charges.

"It's under investigation, but this is looking like it's going to be a felony matter of animal cruelty," Kristofer Blankenship, a senior officer with the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, told WCNC Charlotte.

WCNC Charlotte has chosen not to show the video due to its graphic nature.

The video, which was reportedly uploaded by the perpetrators themselves, has prompted outrage and calls for criminal charges from wildlife protection advocates.

"There's so much lack of education around wildlife and a lot of fear, and there's just no reason to fear these animals," said Morgan Rafael of the Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that multiple agencies are now involved in the investigation, as the alleged actions have the potential to constitute charges under both state and federal animal protection laws.

"The act of animal cruelty comes to mind and how it's unfair to the animal," Blankenship said.

Wildlife experts emphasize that opossums provide significant ecological benefits and pose minimal threat to humans or property.

"They eat copperheads, and most people don't like copperheads, so they're really beneficial to have around," Rafael explained. "They also eat ticks, which cause a lot of illness, so they're really great to have around."

For residents concerned about wildlife on their property, Rafael recommends humane deterrent methods rather than harmful interventions.

"There are things to do. You can spray a product called Reel All. You can have bright lights in your yard. You can put balloons, shiny things in your yard to deter them," Rafael said. "There's so many things to do, but putting them on fire is not the answer."

The Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center offers resources for homeowners on how to humanely manage wildlife encounters. Conservation officials urge anyone with information about the incident to contact local authorities or the state's wildlife resources commission.

Multiple agencies have been notified about the video, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and the FBI. The incident has generated significant public outrage, with WCNC Charlotte receiving numerous calls and emails from concerned citizens. In the video, a person is seen pouring a flammable liquid on the animal before setting it on fire.

While it is unknown if the case has federal implications, there are multiple federal laws meant to curb the creation of animal torture videos and the distribution online, including the Animal Crush Video Prevention Act, passed in 2010, and thePACT Act of 2019.

On Live Impact News on WCNC+, WCNC Charlotte anchor Vanessa Ruffes weighed in on community commentary on this case, as many discussing it expressed alarm based on the body of research linking animal cruelty and violent crimes against people.

"The FBI, there's a reason why they track these cases. There's a strong link between someone who's willing to harm an animal and someone who's willing to harm another human," Ruffes said, noting various studies that state animal cruelty can be a predictor of whether someone is more likely to commit heinous acts against people.

Animal advocacy groups and law enforcement agencies, including the National Sheriffs' Association, pushed for the change, citing the existing research on animal cruelty and its link to other violence.

“If somebody is harming an animal, there is a good chance they also are hurting a human,” John Thompson, deputy executive director of the National Sheriffs’ Association, stated in 2016, upon the announcement of changes in data collection. “If we see patterns of animal abuse, the odds are that something else is going on.”

Officials reminded the public that opossums cannot legally be kept as pets without proper permits. A North Carolina Wildlife Commission official said that's better for the animals, as they aren't domesticated.

Authorities encourage anyone who witnesses animal cruelty to contact their local police department or sheriff's office. For those concerned about dog fighting, specialized tip lines exist through state law enforcement agencies and organizations like the ASPCA.

Humane World for Animals has these suggestions for reporting possible dogfighting:

The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to identify those responsible for the video.