Western Australian police are investigating footage appearing to show a teenage boy being beaten and threatened with a knife at Coolamin dog park in Ellenbrook.
The 31-second video, which has circulated on social media, shows the boy surrounded by several youths who tug at his black hoodie and demand that he remove it.
As he tries to walk away across the grass, one youth follows and shoves him from behind, sending him face-first to the ground. Two others then punch, kick and stomp on his head and upper body as he curls up and raises his hands to protect his face.
The group can be heard shouting for the boy to strip, while other youths stand nearby and appear to film the incident on their mobile phones. One of those involved appears to be holding a large kitchen knife.
The teenager screams “no” as he rolls on the ground. The footage also captures one attacker kicking him in the face.
WA Police Minister Reece Whitby said he was “absolutely disgusted and angry” at what he described as “unacceptable violence”.
“The kids engaged in this sort of violence is not acceptable,” Mr Whitby said. “I saw what appears to be a kitchen knife . . . one slip, one wrong move, could have had tragic consequences that would have might have ended a life and might have resulted in a very serious outcome for those young people involved.”
He said police were investigating and would ensure “the law is enforced, because this is unacceptable”.
A WA Police spokeswoman said no formal complaint had been made, but officers were conducting inquiries into the matter.
