Rabbit beaten to death with baseball bat
Aptos, CA (US)Incident Date: Sunday, May 15, 2005
County: Santa Cruz
Disposition: Not Charged
Person of Interest: 8 year-old boy
An Aptos boy allegedly used a baseball bat to kill a mother rabbit at a local beach, according to Santa Cruz County Animal Control Officer Todd Stosuy.
Witnesses reported that the 8-year-old boy was with a friend at Hidden Valley Park when he allegedly raised the bat over his head and beat the rabbit repeatedly.
Stosuy stated the boys were chased away by the witnesses but eventually tracked down.
The boys confessed to the killing in subsequent interviews, claiming they believed the rabbit had rabies.
Stosuy said the rabbit was with two baby bunnies and had apparently been dumped at the beach by someone who could no longer care for the animals. The animal control officer was able to rescue one of the babies but the other ran away.
Details of the investigation have been handed over to the juvenile probation department and the district attorney's office where animal cruelty charges could be filed.
"My hope is that they are charged so that they can receive the rehabilitation services they need," Stosuy said. "Without a doubt, this is a precursor to violence."
Stosuy said that many notorious and violent criminals have histories of abusing and torturing animals. The parents of both children have voluntarily recommended counseling for the boys.
To contact the prosecutor in this case to urge vigorous prosecution and mandatory psychological counseling if the boy is convicted:
The Honorable Bob Lee
Santa Cruz County District Attorney
P.O. Box 1159
Santa Cruz, CA 95061 References« CA State Animal Cruelty Map
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