Real or not, the Marines are taking seriously a video depicting a Marine hurling a puppy off of a cliff in Iraq.

"The video is shocking and deplorable and is contrary to the high standards we expect of every Marine," a spokesman said in a statement given to Radar. "This video came to our attention [Monday] morning, and we have initiated an investigation. We do not tolerate this type of behavior and will take appropriate action." In an attempt to counter the shocking video, the statement points out numerous occasions where Marines have adopted and cared for stray pets picked up in Iraq.

The Honolulu Advertiser quotes Marine spokesman Maj. Christopher Perrine as saying "it's looking like" the Marine in the video is based in Hawaii. No response yet to whether that Marine is the one named by several blogs on Monday—that person's Bebo profile was set to private late yesterday after it was deluged with comments and postings of the suspected puppy chucker's personal info.