Three 8-Year Olds Arrested In Death of a Cat

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replying the story in its archived form does not constitute a re-publiccation of the story.

Three 8-year old boys were arrested in Tucson, Arizona on Tuesday for the death of Abe, a cat at Hermitage Cat Shelter in Tucson. On January 23, the boys stole two dogs, a rottweiler and a german shepherd, from a neighbor and released them into the shelter to kill cats. After the attack that left one cat dead and others injured, some cats were observed limping. A stick was found at the crime scene that the boys used to beat the cats.

The boys' explanation for the mauling was that they hate cats.

Police say the boys are charged with four misdemeanors including cruelty to animals, criminal trespass, criminal damage and disorderly conduct. Hermitage Cat Shelter is a no-kill, cage-free cat sanctuary. Officials at Hermitage say they will amp up security and turn on alarms as soon as they lock up each evening.

A photo of Abe, the 7 year old cat killed in the attack. Abe was described as gentle and kind.

Read the whole story here and here. Click the video tab for a short clip about the disturbing crime.

*A note to 8-year old boys: I see you and I know what you're thinking. Don't even try it! I may not have front claws, but I've got super-lethal back claws, razor-sharp fangs, AND I'm a master at disappearing. You'll just stay away from me if you know what's good for you!

This article also has 1 video attached to it.