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

2 boys in Mesa admit to beating, hanging kitten

This happened here in Mesa, AZ - back in October - however 2 boys just admitted to it and the admission was reported on Friday. The article also states that they both actively played Grand Theft Auto - and that the kitten was hung from a tree w/ wire from a video game controller. The boys cannot be charged since they are not 8 yrs. old. Sheriff Arpaio (huge animal supporter) is asking for therapists to volunteer counseling services for these boys.

EVEN WORSE? Since I had heard about this on the radio, I had to come online and try to find the article. The google search turned up THIS website - which is a website that collects info about children-to-animal cruelty cases. It is JUST heartbreaking!! I clicked on the one from New Mexico, just by chance - and I just started to cry. I know this happens everywhere - but really, what we hear about on the news is just the TIP of the iceberg. It's so horrible. It just hurts me to my very core. [btw, clicking on the link does not bring up any pictures, it brings up a list of cases; if you click further, you can read more about the individual cases, some of which include pictures]

It is sad, but true that there are children out there who do things like this.

My son was a cop for 9 years. One day, while on patrol, a kitten ran out in front of his patrol car, closely followed by 4 boys carrying baseball bats. He stopped the car and got out. The kitten crawled up his leg and my son put it inside his shirt against his kevlar. Not one of these boys was over 9 years old, but they planned to catch and kill this little kitten who was not old enough to be away from his mother.

My son put the boys in his patrol car and took each one home and told each one's parents what he'd been up to. Each of the child's parents was horrified and each was severely punished - but I often wonder what they've done since then.

The kitten became "Buddy", my son's tag along best friend. Buddy had to be put to sleep 2 years ago after becoming seriously ill. My son was devastated by Buddy's loss, and held him in his arms while he was PTS. He still carries Buddy's picture in his wallet.

It paints a sorry picture of this world, doesn't it?

BLESS your son! What a touching story! Brought tears to my eyes, good tears. Buddy was clearly dearly loved and spoiled - and it sure sounds like Buddy gave just as much back to your dear son. I hope you'll tell your son that I, for one, think he's a hero - and that I'm so sorry for his loss. I had to put my 20 yr. old cat, Einstein, to sleep a couple years ago - and I held her, and it was just so devastating (I still can barely think about it).

What is so scary about children who commit these acts is that so many studies show that many adult criminals tortured animals as children. So, not only is it just wrong and cruel on its own as an act - but it speaks to something very wrong with the child that needs to emergently addressed. Very sad.

That makes me want to cry.

I'm glad Buddy was rescued and apparently lived the life he deserved.

PS I am NOT clicking that link. I don't think I could take it.

Thank you for that story. There's lots of kind hearted people left in this world... sometimes they're just hard to find. My husband is a cop too and if I let him bring home all the strays he finds we'd have no room for *us* in our house. lol

It's really sad there are so many unwanted animals out there and too many kids with too much time on their hands with lots of parents (but not all parents) who don't care one way or the other. :mad:

Stories like this just reinforce the fact that I never want to bring a human child into this world.

Oh... and...
 

Oh, and as for the 'influenced by a violent video game thing...'

1.) That game they're talking about ISN'T for kids. The rating *specifically* states that. AO = ADULTS ONLY Grand Theft Auto (series) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2.) The kids realistically must have been messed up to start with (potentally have mental issues) if they think this is an ok thing to do.

...which leads me to say:

3.) WHERE are the parents?! Did they just sit their kids down in front of the tele to shut them up? Have they explained to their kids (if they, the parents, CHOOSE to go against the ratings of the video game maker) that this game is NOT reality and they, in fact, can NOT do whatever they want (violent or not?) to whoever they want (animal, human, people's property). I hate it when people get on video games and blame them for a kid's bad behaviour! I grew up playing video games - albeit I didn't play violent ones until my late teens (cause it's not my thing) but the rating system is there for a reason. I'm sorry, but parents need to step up and make sure they KNOW what their kids are doing! Society is so lax and (many) parents aren't good ones and the kids are becoming damaged because of it.

Makes me wanna just ARGH! lol

Sorry. /rant off.

OK, I think I may have been a little inaccurate here. GTA has recieved many M (Mature) ratings. Mature means 17+. I'm pretty sure I saw a GTA case with AO on it at one point. I could be wrong. Either way it's not for kids and it's stated on the box.

That's the first thing I thought of. A child at ages 6 and 7 should be no where near that game... it is too violent and sends too many bad messages... I play it, but then again, I'm 21... these kids are WAY too little to understand.

omg
 

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 can not go to the site, but I am crying right now.....

I simply can not understand this world :(

Four years ago, I lived in a bubble (I guess), I thought I was 'aware' but then TJ and Roxy came into my world, and my eyes, mind and heart opened and was able to 'see' the world we live in. I am ashamed and embarrashed that the world we live in is filled with people and children capable of such horrific abuse towards animals....:(

WELL SAID!!! While it breaks my heart that some kids are capable of such unthinkable things it really makes me mad that people jump to blame video games. While yes I know, GTA is one super violent video game (and I am a HUGE FAN of the game) I also think it's the parents responsibility to KNOW what their kids are playing on their Xbox, Playstation, or whatever. My parents would have never allowed a game like that in my house when we were those boys' ages. We weren't even allowed to watch The Simpsons because they said bad words (stupid was the main offender, I guess it's a cultural thing). Point is it's the parent's responsibility to set boundaries and know what their kids are doing.
Sorry to have joined your rant, but like you said, where are the parents?

I wish that more people would speak up about things like this. I have a strong opinion (albeit an unpopular one) about issues such as this (and how to resolve such issues), but I don't think anyone disagrees with me when I say it's sad when things like this happen. Some of us just have differing opinions on who to blame and who should take responsibility.

It really makes me angry knowing there are people (kids, parents, adults, people in general) who don't reserve the same type of feelings for animals that they have for human beings. We're all living, feeling beings in this world and just because we communicate with words and think ourselves superior, doesn't mean we should treat our non-human counterparts with any less respect or compassion. Actually lol I treat my pets better than I do some humans - pets don't know any better in most cases where human beings do.

Agreed.

Oh My!
 

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. :mad:

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 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. :(

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!

Oh, I do.

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.

Update
 

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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!:mad:

:mad::mad::mad: 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. :cry: 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. :cry:

There is more to this story...
 

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!
:confused:

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

this is a sick world
 

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.