Brandon Honea, a taxidermist from Fayetteville, Tennessee, has come under scrutiny after a TikTok livestream circulated on social media showing a man identified as Honea repeatedly striking a female opossum against a wooden porch until the animal died. Animal welfare advocates say they have reported the incident to authorities and are seeking an investigation.
The footage, which has been reposted by animal advocacy accounts, reportedly shows Honea holding the opossum by its tail and repeatedly bringing the animal against the porch. He can be heard laughing during the incident. A woman participating in the livestream repeatedly pleads with him to stop, telling him to release the animal.
The incident has prompted widespread criticism from viewers and animal welfare advocates, particularly after Honea reportedly defended his actions online. He has also claimed that a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) game warden told him that he had done nothing wrong and that no animal cruelty occurred.
However, advocates say they have not independently verified that account and are seeking clarification from the relevant authorities.
What the TikTok Livestream Reportedly Showed
A video reposted by The Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation shows a split-screen recording of the livestream, including footage of an opossum outside a home and a man identified in the accompanying discussion as Brandon Honea.
According to descriptions of the recording, the animal is picked up by its tail before being repeatedly struck against a wooden porch. The woman appearing in the livestream can be heard pleading with him to stop, saying, “Brandon, please don’t,” and describing the animal as a baby.
The recording also reportedly captures Honea discussing why he wanted to kill the opossum. He allegedly says the animal had killed his chickens and that he had caught several opossums over the preceding days.
After the incident, the animal’s body was reportedly left on the porch while Honea went inside.
Animal advocates have declined to circulate the full recording on their own pages, describing it as distressing. The footage has nevertheless continued to attract attention through reposts and screenshots shared online.
Wild-Side Rehab of WKY Says It Filed the First Police Report
Wild-Side Rehab of WKY, an animal rescue organization, says it was among the first groups to contact authorities after learning about the livestream.
In a public statement, the organization said it had been informed that its report was the first complaint received by authorities concerning the incident. It also said it had requested a return call from the Lincoln County game warden and planned to provide available recordings and screenshots to investigators.
The organization described the incident as an example of wildlife cruelty and called for authorities to examine the footage.
Fluffs Sake Cat Rescue INC also joined the public response, with both organizations urging people who witnessed the livestream or possess relevant evidence to report it through appropriate official channels.
The groups have emphasized that their campaign is focused on seeking accountability through the legal system rather than encouraging threats or harassment.
They have also contacted news organizations covering the Fayetteville area, including WHNT News 19 and NewsChannel 5 Nashville, according to their statements.
Who Is Brandon Honea?
Brandon Honea is identified on social media as a taxidermist and TikTok livestreamer based in Fayetteville, Tennessee, in Lincoln County.
Online accounts associated with him reportedly use the names @brandontaxidermy and Brandon-Taxidermy92. His social media presence features hunting and taxidermy-related content.
A post associated with the controversy reportedly carried the caption, “When you on TikTok live and a opossum shows up.”
Advocates say the livestream was subsequently removed from his public Facebook page, although recordings and screenshots have continued circulating through other accounts.
The allegations have placed renewed attention on the responsibilities of people who handle wildlife and the legal distinction between lawful wildlife management and prohibited animal cruelty.
Honea Reportedly Said the Opossum Was Threatening His Chickens
One explanation attributed to Honea is that the opossum had been coming near his chickens and was responsible for killing them.
The reported comments have prompted criticism from animal advocates, who argue that protecting domestic poultry does not justify unnecessary cruelty toward wildlife.
Wild-Side Rehab of WKY said people who keep chickens or other vulnerable animals should take appropriate steps to secure their enclosures and protect them from predators.
The organization pointed to measures such as stronger coops and predator-resistant fencing, arguing that responsible animal ownership includes preventing conflicts with wildlife wherever possible.
The central issue raised by advocates is not simply whether an opossum was found near chickens, but whether the manner in which it was killed violated animal cruelty or wildlife protection laws.
Brandon Honea Reportedly Invokes Jesus While Defending His Actions
Following the backlash, Honea reportedly attempted to defend himself in online comments and invoked the suffering of Jesus before his death.
Screenshots shared by Evinrude O’babs The Opossum show comments attributed to Honea discussing the killing and disputing the characterization of his actions as torture.
His reported religious comparison has drawn further criticism from people who believe the reference does not address the concerns raised by the footage.
Animal advocates have argued that the relevant questions concern how the animal was treated, whether the killing was lawful and whether the circumstances meet the legal definition of cruelty.
The online response has included calls for an official investigation, although authorities have not announced any charges in the information provided about the incident.
Honea Claims TWRA Told Him He Did Nothing Wrong
Another major development involves Honea’s reported claim that he spoke with a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency game warden and was told that he had done nothing wrong and that no cruelty had occurred.
He has also reportedly said that he has a police report relating to the incident.
However, Wild-Side Rehab of WKY says it has not received direct communication from a game warden confirming that account. The organization says it intends to contact the agency, request relevant records and establish whether an official assessment was actually made.
At this stage, the claim that TWRA cleared Honea has not been independently verified in the information available.
The distinction is important because a statement attributed to an individual about a conversation with a game warden is not the same as an official written finding by the agency.
The organization wants authorities to clarify whether a complaint was received, whether the footage was reviewed and whether any investigation or enforcement decision has been made.
What the Federal PACT Act Says About Animal Cruelty
The incident has also renewed discussion about the federal Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, commonly known as the PACT Act.
Signed into law by President Donald Trump on November 25, 2019, the legislation makes certain forms of intentional animal crushing and serious animal cruelty federal offenses.
The law prohibits specified acts involving living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, including intentionally crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling or otherwise causing serious bodily injury to an animal.
A federal conviction can carry a prison sentence of up to seven years, in addition to applicable fines.
However, the law contains exceptions for certain activities, including conduct associated with hunting, trapping, fishing, veterinary practices and other specified practices. Whether a particular incident falls within an exception depends on the facts and applicable law.
Consequently, the existence of the livestream does not automatically establish that a federal offense occurred. Investigators and prosecutors would need to assess the conduct, the circumstances and whether the requirements of federal law are satisfied.
Tennessee Animal Cruelty and Wildlife Laws
Tennessee also has state laws addressing animal cruelty and the treatment of wildlife.
Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-202, cruelty to animals includes intentionally or knowingly torturing, maiming or grossly overworking an animal. The statute provides for criminal penalties, although the applicable offense and punishment depend on the circumstances and any relevant statutory exceptions.
Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-212 addresses aggravated cruelty to animals, including certain intentional acts involving companion animals. Its application to a wild opossum would require careful consideration of the statute’s definitions and circumstances.
Wildlife is also regulated under Tennessee’s wildlife laws, which establish restrictions on the hunting, taking, killing and possession of protected wildlife.
The state has rules governing wildlife rehabilitation and permits, while certain lawful wildlife-control activities may be treated differently from prohibited cruelty.
Whether Honea’s reported actions violated any of these provisions has not been established by an official finding in the information supplied. The authorities would need to determine whether the circumstances fall within a lawful wildlife-management exception or constitute an offense.
Why Opossums Play an Important Role in the Environment
The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America and plays a role in local ecosystems.
Opossums are generally opportunistic feeders. Their diets can include insects, slugs, snails, small animals, carrion and other available food sources.
They can help limit certain pest populations and contribute to the natural cleanup of carrion. Their presence around homes and farms can sometimes create conflict with people who keep poultry or other small animals, but wildlife experts generally recommend responsible prevention and lawful management rather than unnecessary harm.
Opossums are also known for having a relatively low body temperature compared with many other mammals, which makes them less susceptible to rabies than some species. However, they are not completely immune to the disease.
Animal advocates say the incident should encourage people to understand the ecological role of wildlife and seek appropriate assistance when conflicts arise.
Animal Advocates Urge People to Report Evidence Rather Than Harass Anyone
Wild-Side Rehab of WKY and Fluffs Sake Cat Rescue INC say they intend to continue seeking answers from authorities.
Their requests include clarification from TWRA, follow-up with local law enforcement and the submission of available recordings and screenshots for review.
The organizations have also urged members of the public not to threaten or harass Honea. Instead, they want anyone who witnessed the livestream or has relevant evidence to provide it to the appropriate authorities.
People with direct knowledge of the incident can contact the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency or Fayetteville Police Department to ask about submitting a complaint.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency: 1-800-255-8972
The organizations say their objective is to establish what happened, determine whether any laws were violated and ensure that the incident receives appropriate attention.
For now, the allegations surrounding the livestream, Honea’s reported explanation and his claim about the game warden remain matters requiring official clarification. No confirmed criminal charge or final investigative finding has been provided in the information available.
