Bam Margera is used to acting the 'Jackass' for the MTV stunt show, but he proved himself one all of a different kind recently when posting a picture on his Twitter account that showed him threatening his pet dog with a gun.

Margera thought that the visual joke would strike a chord with his followers, who know full well his slightly risqué antics as part of the Jackass team over the years. However, although he stated that the gun he was holding to Penny's head was a fake, he still received a barrage of abuse from followers, causing the 33 year-old to apologise.

The Philadelphia Inquirer points out that the Chester County region in which Margera resides has been hit by a spate of horrific animal abuse recently and so the stunt man's photo was somewhat ill-timed and crass even if it was just a joke. A spokesman for the SPCA (Society of Prevention of Cruelty To Animals) said the picture was "not funny" and added that the comedian had "missed the mark on this one."

Margera has since said that if he'd known about the recent incidents he'd never have posted the picture, and added "I think those people need to go down," of the abusers. "Just hurting another animal is rude, crude, and more." He did however insist it was just a joke, saying "I feel like every follower I have on Twitter" - more than 800,000 - "knows my Jackass joking kind of humor."