Cat killed in clothes dryer, 11 year old charged
Titusville, FL (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007
County: Brevard
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: 11 year old boy
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
Titusville police arrested an 11-year-old boy who they said killed another boy's cat by placing it in a dryer and turning the machine on as an act of revenge following an argument.
The boy was charged on Wednesday with felony counts of cruelty to animals and burglary.
Titusville police said the 11-year-old broke into the other boy's house and attempted to cut the cat. He then put the animal in the dryer, turned it on and left the house, police said.
The cat, which suffered burns on its face and body, is believed to have died from a combination of the dryer heat and tumbling motion, according to police.
Case UpdatesAn 11-year-old Titusville boy accused of killing a cat in the dryer after a dispute with another child could face disciplinary action at school because of the felony charges against him.
The boy is accused of putting another family's cat in their dryer and turning it on. The boy told Titusville police detectives he had an argument with a child in that family.
Brevard Public Schools officials could not say whether the boy, who faces felony counts of animal cruelty and burglary, would face such discipline, citing student privacy laws.
Brevard Public Schools students can be suspended if they are charged with a felony crime that occurred off school property and that crime could have "an adverse impact on the educational program, discipline or welfare in the school," according to the Brevard Public Schools' student handbook.
The school principal then would have a hearing to determine whether a student would be recommended for expulsion, the handbook said.
Meanwhile, a judge Thursday ordered the boy's parent to have him psychologically evaluated, Assistant State Attorney Jo Lynn Nelson said.
The boy, whom FLORIDA TODAY is not naming because of his age, will spend three days in Brevard County Juvenile Detention Center and then 18 days under home detention, Nelson said. Under home detention, he may go to school, but must be with a parent for all other ventures outside of his home. The boy may not contact the family who owned the cat.
Prosecutors have the 21-day detention span to decide whether to file charges against the boy and prepare for trial, state attorney's office spokeswoman Lynne Bumpus-Hooper said. The next court date is Sept. 18. | Source: Florida Today - Aug 31, 2007
Update posted on Aug 31, 2007 - 6:44PM |
An 11-year-old Titusville boy accused of killing a cat by placing it in a dryer as an act of revenge against another boy was ordered by a judge on Thursday to undergo a psychological exam.
The boy, who will not be named because of his age, was in court for a hearing regarding two felony charges he faces. He has been charged with animal cruelty and burglary.
The boy will spend three days in Brevard County Juvenile Detention Center and then 18 days under home detention, Assistant State Attorney Jo Lynn Nelson said. Under home detention, he may go to school but must be with a parent for all other ventures outside of his home.
He was ordered to not have any contact the family that owned the cat.
The boy is accused of breaking into the family's home following an argument with another boy. Police said he attempted to cut the cat's throat before putting it a dryer and turning the machine on. | Source: Local 6 News - Aug 30, 2007
Update posted on Aug 31, 2007 - 12:02PM |
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