A Hawaii-based Marine is at the center of a military investigation over a video posted on the internet that appears to show him abusing an animal.

The video of apparent cruelty to a puppy has caused widespread outrage among many who have seen it, including the Marines. KHON2 will not show this video in its entirety, but we caution viewers the content may be disturbing.

On the video a Marine appears to pick up and then throw a stray puppy.

"That was mean. That was mean, Motari," one Marine says to the other Marine after throwing the animal.

The person is identified on the video and in subsequent internet postings as a lance corporal stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe.

"This is a shocking and deplorable video that is contrary to the high standards that we set for every Marine," said Maj. Chris Perrine, spokesperson for the Kaneohe base.

The Marine Corps has launched an investigation to determine whether the man on the video is their Marine who returned last October from a 7-month tour of duty in Iraq.

"Very disgusting,” said dog owner Jason Cerventes. “Who would throw a puppy, in Iraq especially, and throw it on the ground?"

Whoever is involved with the conduct and posting of this video could face serious consequences including confinement or discharge from the Marine Corps. Some web viewers angrily lashed out with death threats.

"Certainly there's a lot of outrage and a lot of people are upset about it. I think every Marine is upset about this video," Perrine said. “We will investigate and take appropriate action and make sure our Marine is safe as well."

The Marines are examining whether the video is authentic or if it might not be what it appears. Regardless of whether it is real or a hoax, the Marines say the posting is unacceptable.

"That is mistreatment of a puppy,” Perrine said. “That is a violation of anybody's standards, and the Marine Corps sets extremely high standards."

Many upset over the video offer praise for the nation's other military men and women.

“There are good guys there,” said dog owner Aileen Ho. “They take care of animals, take care of people who need help, so you cannot just from one bad apple say everybody's bad."

"There are many examples of Marines who adopt pets and bring them back from Iraq, and demonstrate their compassion on a daily basis,” Perrine said.

Some we spoke with expressed concern over the mindset of the man in the video.

“If he would do that to a puppy, what would he do to his kids or family?” Ho said.

The Marine Corps assures they have stress and anger-management intervention programs in place before, during and after deployment.