Cat beaten, kicked - teens charged
West Roxbury, MA (US)Incident Date: Monday, Jan 30, 2006
County: Suffolk
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» 12 year old boy
» 15 year old boy
» 16 year old boy
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Captured on a confiscated digital camera were five video clips of three separate West Roxbury teenagers abusing an orange-and-white cat, according to an MSPCA investigation.
The clips were about 15 to 20 seconds long and showed three different 13- and 14-year-olds allegedly throwing the cat against a wall, slamming it against furniture and kicking it around, according to a source.
Animal cruelty charges were filed against the juveniles, but because of their ages, their names could not be released, the source said.
An MSPCA spokesman declined to talk about specifics of the investigation, only to say, "We do have an active investigation in that area.
"Boston Police just happened to be working with [an MSPCA] officer," said spokesman Scott Giacoppo. "The investigation is ongoing. We do take any allegation seriously."
The MSPCA began its investigation Jan. 30.
According to the same source, the camera was taken from another juvenile at a Department of Social Services facility, and a person at the facility accidentally came upon the video.
The cat, although seriously injured, was treated at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital and is now available for adoption, the source said.
According to state law, those who are found guilty of animal cruelty can be punished with time in state prison for up to five years or face a fine of as much as $2,500.
Case UpdatesThey were arraigned on a charge of being delinquent for beating or torturing an animal in a juvenile session of the West Roxbury court on Friday, the Suffolk District Attorney's office said.
The older boy, who is scheduled to go to trial Feb. 21 for an unrelated assault case, had his bail of personal recognizance on that earlier case revoked as a result of the new arrest. He is in the custody of the Department of Youth Services.
The younger boy was released on personal recognizance.
A 16-year-old child who is living in the same home with the stepbrothers is also suspected of participating in the abuse of the cat. That child, whose guardian is the stepbrothers' mother, is expected to face charges as well, prosecutors said.
The cat has been removed from the home and placed in the care of the MSPCA. The cat has a heart murmur, a cracked tooth, and a "slightly hunched hind area," according to a veterinarian's exam. | Source: WCVB - Feb 11, 2006
Update posted on Feb 11, 2006 - 9:32AM |
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