[News] 6 & 7 yr. Old Boys Beat and Hang 4 mth Old Kitten

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by gkathleenw

Oh my Goodness!!!! That website is heart breaking! I don't know why I did, but I went through and read most of them. I am pretty sure I am going to throw up now! I can not belive this stuff really goes on?!?!? Those poor helpless animals. They did nothing wrong and they can't do anything to defend them selves. Does anyone know of anything We can do to help these poor animals and do something to prevent those little Devils from doing this? This just breaks my heart! I had no idea all of this abuse goes on.

I know, I feel your pain. It's been *very* heavy on my heart for days now. I have the same feeling as I did when I watched the Fur Video From the China Fur Industry. Just sick about it.

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

I cannot view that. I work for a child care ageny in NY. The children that are placed here by the parents and courts have problems like this and some even more so. Very sick and damaging to our society. You can blame the parents/guardains for most of it. They live what they see. The younger ones have a chance sometimes to straighten out but the older's one don't seem to want too. They are too bitter. There are thousands and thousands of children like this in this state alone. Scary when you stop and think that this is our future generation. They have never been loved so they don't know how to love. I make no excusses for anyone who hurts an innocent animal, I just want you to understand why some can and feel nothing inside.

I wish all of these kids could get the intensive therapy that they truly need. Without it, we are not only letting them down - but also ourselves, the animals, and our entire society at large . Bless you for the work you do!

[AvyQuinn]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

You can blame the parents/
guardains for most of it.

Oh, I do.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I wish all of these kids could get the intensive therapy that they truly need. Without it, we are not only letting them down - but also ourselves, the animals, and our entire society at large

QFT

In addition, if parents and guardians hadn't let them down in the first place there wouldn't be as many problems with the coming generation. In the end taxpayers are paying for these kids either through jails, financial assistance, programs to straighten them out, etc. Preventative maintenance is key - education on how to be a parent, etc. People have babies and just don't know how (or don't have the resources to) take care of them. In fact, I know people who rely on the financial resources their kids receive in order to live because they're too lazy to work. <.<

Sad.

[Wylie's Mom]

Here is the News Update (link to story):

Two young boys who admitted stoning and then hanging a 4-month-old kitten are too young to be charged with a crime and will instead be sent through a diversion program, authorities say.

Arizona State University associate professor Christina Risley-Curtiss has worked with children who abuse animals and has been asked by the Maricopa County Sheriff's office to help counsel the boys, ages 6 and 7, through a new ASU program called the Children and Animals Together Assessment and Diversion program, which specializes in treating children 6 to 17 years old who abuse animals.

"Our issue is to get them young," said Risley-Curtiss, the program's founder. "Research does show this kind of activity is a marker. What it says is these kids are troubled and they need help."

A neighbor contacted the Sheriff's Office after finding the cat's body at a trailer park on the 9000 block of Apache Trail. It was hanging by its neck from a backyard tree at one of the boys' home.

The boys used a piece of wire from a video game controller to string up the kitten, which appeared to have been beaten with a rock, authorities said. The boys told deputies they were playing the video game Grand Theft Auto, which has been condemned by some as promoting criminal behavior.

Deputies contacted state Child Protective Services, which declined to get involved, the Sheriff's Office said.

Elizabeth Barker, a CPS spokeswoman, said Friday the agency was investigating the incident to determine whether the family could benefit from a range of programs, including counseling and parenting classes.

Further complicating the case, the Sheriff's Office said, is that the 7-year-old's mother is an undocumented resident. The department did not elaborate, and it remains unclear whether the mother was detained. Repeated calls seeking further comment Friday were not returned by the Sheriff's Office.

Vincent Picard, an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman, said that without the woman's name, which was not released, he was unable to determine whether she was detained, deported or simply told to appear in court.

A Sheriff's Office child forensic specialist interviewed the boys with their parents and persuaded them to pursue counseling for the children.

"This level of animal abuse at such a young age could be a predictor of worse violence in the future," Arpaio said in a statement.

Arpaio and Risley-Curtiss agree that animal abuse, especially at the hands of young children, could be a precursor to future crime and/or physical abuse later in life.

Risley-Curtiss has yet to be contacted by the boys' parents, but said those in the program undergo an in-depth social-work assessment followed by a nine-hour diversion intervention.

"We try to get at what are the reasons and what's behind this behavior," she said, noting that studies have shown that 90 percent of animal physical-cruelty cases are done by males. The majority of animal neglect and hording cases are by women, she said.

The children's program has partnered with the Arizona Animal Welfare League to work with children on accountability and behavior issues, as well teach how to properly handle and care for animals.

[yorkiekist]

Originally Posted by meeker

I went to the website
What is the world coming too
It did not matter sex or how old it scares me to death
If they start with animals there is no saying where they will stop

I am sure everybody remembers Jeffrey Dahmer? He started out torturing animals.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by yorkiekist

I am sure everybody remembers Jeffrey Dahmer? He started out torturing animals.

Yep. I think almost all serial killers tortured animals as kids.

[Ashley V]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Yep. I think almost all serial killers tortured animals as kids.

That's true. Statistics have shown a link between torturing animals as a child to serial killings as an adult.

[Roger G]

The more i get to know people the mor i like animals.!!!!!!!!

[Moses]

You are all correct. Thats why the article stated what it did. Children killing animals is very serious and can lead to extreme violence when older. I believe these children not only need mental care but they need to be watch by the system for years to come. I just hope the system doesn't fail these kids or society.
I believe that any parent who would let their kids play this type of game has an issue. I mean I wouldn't let my teenage son play this violent game and 6 year olds are playing it. Definally intervention is needed.

[RockysMommy08]

That is just horrible!!!

[Akbritt]

Originally Posted by yorkiekist

I am sure everybody remembers Jeffrey Dahmer? He started out torturing animals.

This is just horrible and sick! I was thinking the same thing...thats a new generation of serial killers and murders. I read the convictions as well...and i am rather disappointed that most of them only got slaps on the wrist.....I know some of this are just children...but this is unacceptable!

[Maxi]

That is just so horrible! I went on the link and I am physically ill. I think part of me just died when I read the list. I am aware of the animal cruelty in this World and it makes me sick. It makes me sick that there are so many unstable people that could do things like that.
After poor Bobo story it really opened my eyes how cold and cruel this world is.

[Lucia]

Words fail me

[MEGAN256]

I can't believe that children find being cruel to animals apart of everyday life! Most of all to link violence to a VIDEO GAME! Hmm, well sorry but I have to ask this question; "WHERE IS THE PARENTS DURING ALL THIS"? regardless of the ages and what they kids were watching I believe that parents should be held responsible for their children! Besides this is just my views on this but if kids are killing, beating, & abusing animals don't you think there is something else laying dormant here? what's next? PEOPLE? Statistics shows that almost all serial killers, murders,& rapist had something to do with animal cruelty... such a sad world we have..... sorry guys this kind of thing really bothers me!

[munchiesmom]

I am a social worker and I came from a home with drug addiction, brutality, sexual abuse etc. What saved me after 17 foster homes and countless trips home to an extremely disfunctional homelife, was a loving foster dad who calmly wiped spit away when I attacked him and whose sense of humour and patience convinced me to take the help that was offered. Years of therapy and ongoing support from my foster family saved me from the same fate. Now I spend my time trying to help others in the same situation that I endured. The good news is, I never hurt an animal though I did turn it inwards and hurt myself. Battered children tend to id entify either with the victim or the prep. I guess self victimization was my issue. Now I am a staunch supporter of victims and of counselling those whom abuse to try to get them past their issues including drug addiction. So far, I have had good results. I guess what I am trying to say is that there is help and if the child meets the right people and gets the right kind of help, there is no telling what they can do. I use myself as an example but please do not read into this that I therefore believe anyone can overcome issues causing violence. Everyone is different and I would venture that what we are seeing is that it is not video games alone. Neglect is the largest issue facing children and historically always was. Toss in verbal, emotional and physical violence perpetrated on the child or witnessed by the child (video games, parents, tv etc) and well you get the drift. I pray that the animal. eco and human cruelty stops but until we take better care of children and teach ALL parents about violence and parenting, That simply won't happen. Therefore we need to be dilligent when we see it and call the authorities and whenever possible and safe, intervene to help the victim. This includes supporting rescue organisations and humane breeders. Sorry for the rant, its a bit personal. Warm regards to all. Lina

[tinyterriers]

I cant imaginr how anyone young or old cn be so cruel.Their are to many kids they are watching to much horror, either on the tube or internet. Can you imagine 6 and 7 yr olds, beating and hanging a 4month old kitten. They should be put away.