US comic Mike Epps apologises for bringing kangaroo on stage

American comedian Mike Epps has been forced to apologise after bringing a kangaroo on stage during his live show.

The stand-up was accused of animal cruelty when he took the marsupial on stage of his Festival of Laughs tour in Detriot.

The kangaroo appeared distressed as members off Epps' crew manhandled it, jumping around the state as a rap track played.

The stunt attracted a barrage of criticism online. But Epps, who played Black Doug in The Hangover, initially tried to ride out the storm, posting a video of him feeding the kangaroo backstage, saying: 'Yeh, what's the problem now. Look how nice I am 2 him.'

But as the storm showed no sign of abating, he published an apology on his Instagram pages.

'Look I wanna sincerely apologise to everybody,' he said. 'I don't own the kangaroo and did not mean any harm to the animal. It got outta hand and I am sorry.

'Sorry if I offedend [sic] anybody I love animals sense I was a kid I had dogs my whole life!!#imadeabadmistake I keep taking down my post because of the back lash I am getting!! thank you for forgiveness!'

He added that he would be donating money to the Save The Kangaroos foundation.

University of Queensland animal welfare professor Clive Phillips told The New Daily the incident was a 'wanton and unreasonable' act of animal cruelty, adding: 'Its attempts to escape, nervous demeanour and helpless actions also suggest distress.;

The kangaroo belonged to Exhibit Zoo, which hires out animals for birthday parties and schools.

Published: 4 Apr 2017