It started like any quiet morning walk — until one dog vanished, and the other surfaced choking, clutched in a headlock by a wild and muscular kangaroo. What followed was a muddy river showdown between a martial artist and one of Australia’s strongest marsupials. It sounds made-up, but it really happened.
A Morning Walk Turns Dangerous
Mick Moloney, a mixed martial arts and Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor — and former Victorian police officer — was out walking his two Akitas along the Murray River near Mildura when things took a wild turn. After pausing to stretch by a log, he realised one of his dogs, Hatchi, had gone missing.
Seconds later, he spotted a large kangaroo in the water, standing chest-deep and eerily still. Then Hatchi appeared beside it, struggling, with water pouring from his mouth. The kangaroo had him in what looked like a headlock, and the dog let out a painful yelp.
Moloney tried shouting to scare the animal, but it stood firm, refusing to release Hatchi. That’s when Moloney pulled out his phone to record — knowing no one would believe him otherwise — and waded into the murky river.
Face-Off with a “Jacked” Roo
Moloney said the kangaroo was massive, with bulging muscles that made it look like it had just “got out of jail.” Despite the size difference, he splashed towards it, yelling and throwing water.
When that didn’t work, he slapped the kangaroo across the head. The animal fought back, lunging and knocking Moloney — and his phone — underwater. He said it felt like a proper punch-up, and his forearm hurt for most of the day.
But the distraction worked. Hatchi managed to break free and swim to safety, shaken but alive.
Viral Fame and a Lot of Questions
The video, originally uploaded to the Mildura Martial Arts school’s Facebook page, exploded online. Before being removed from TikTok, it had racked up over 2.5 million views and hundreds of comments.
Viewers around the world reacted with a mix of disbelief and awe. Some joked that Moloney had created a new martial art called “roo-jitsu.” Others simply asked why a muscular kangaroo would try to drown a dog in the first place.
Experts Weigh In
Wildlife Victoria’s CEO, Lisa Palma, explained that kangaroos often retreat into water when feeling threatened. If followed, they may try to drown a perceived predator using their strong forearms.
In this case, it’s likely Hatchi chased the kangaroo into the river. Once cornered, the animal responded by trying to hold him under. Palma stressed that kangaroos are wild animals and can act aggressively when afraid.
She urged dog owners to keep pets on leads in areas where kangaroos are common and said anyone who encounters a similar situation should call Wildlife Victoria’s 24/7 Emergency Response Service for advice or help.
Dog Recovering, Man Still Walking
Despite the shocking ordeal, Hatchi is recovering well, according to Moloney. And he has no plans to change his regular walking route. Avoiding the track, he said, would be like letting the kangaroos win.
His own injuries were minor — a sore forearm and some scratches — and he insists he wasn’t trying to be cruel to the animal. He acted to save his pet.
“I got my dog back. That’s the main thing,” he said.
Even after all that, he called the encounter a draw.
