The resurfaced video shows a Grant County deputy apparently throwing a rabbit into a parked patrol car on August 16, 2024, an act that sparked renewed outrage after the clip re-emerged online. All four officers on scene were fired in August 2025, and Deputy Alejandro Gomez was charged with extreme cruelty to animals. Marcus Salas reported the incident but was also dismissed and temporarily blocked from state trooper employment; he was later rehired by Hurley PD and plans to sue. The clip prompted widespread condemnation and online discussion about animal rescues and officer conduct.
Viral Video Shows New Mexico Deputy Throwing Rabbit Into Patrol Car; Officers Fired and One Charged
Three screenshots from a YouTube video. Two show some police officers handling a rabbit. The third shows one of the police officers getting arrested.
A widely shared video showing a Grant County deputy tossing a wild rabbit against a parked patrol vehicle — an act that appears to have killed the animal — has reignited public outrage after resurfacing on social media.
The incident occurred on August 16, 2024, during a night shift when four Grant County officers encountered a rabbit on the road. Bodycam or bystanding footage first circulated publicly in 2025 and drew renewed attention in 2026 when clips were reshared across multiple platforms.
What the Video Shows
In the recording, an officer can be seen holding a small rabbit. Another officer, identified in reporting as Deputy Alejandro Gomez, is heard saying, "Give it to me, right now!" Reports indicate the rabbit was passed from Deputy Marcus Salas to Gomez, who then throws the animal against the side of a parked patrol cruiser while other officers react and laugh.
Allegations and Immediate Aftermath
Local reporting from the Grant County Beat and KOAT Action News states that officers present included Marcus Salas, Alejandro Gomez, Corporal Cesar Torres and Sergeant Brandon Reese. According to those accounts, Salas initially photographed the rabbit and intended to move it to safety. Gomez allegedly demanded the animal and — after pointing a taser at Salas and being urged by other officers to take it — threw the rabbit into the patrol vehicle.
Investigations, Discipline and Legal Action
Salas reportedly filed an Internal Affairs complaint after the incident; when he said no action was taken, he escalated the matter to the New Mexico State Police, who opened an investigation and filed a report. KOAT Action News reported that all four officers were dismissed in August 2025 and that Gomez was charged with a count of extreme cruelty to animals. Gomez has since been arrested in connection with that charge.
The Grant County Beat reports that Sheriff Raul Villanueva ordered the dismissals and later filed an LEA-90 misconduct form on September 10, 2025, which effectively prevented Salas from obtaining employment with the New Mexico State Police. Salas was reported to have been rehired by the Hurley Police Department in 2026 and has said he plans to sue the Grant County Sheriff’s Office over the handling of the case.
Public Reaction
The footage provoked strong reactions online. Social media users expressed disgust and anger, and a viral Reddit thread prompted commenters — including construction workers — to share stories and photos of animals they had rescued in contrast to the officers’ conduct. Coverage and aggregation of the story appeared on sites such as Know Your Meme and local news outlets.
Note: This article summarizes reporting from local outlets and court filings. Some details are described as alleged pending legal process.
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