Witness reports alleged to have seen the kids hanging two 6-week-old kittens by a rope and repeatedly slamming the third kitten against a wall.
Two girls and one boy aged 5, 7, and 10 were seen by witnesses as they tried to swing and strangle two of the kittens. The kitten who was slammed against the wall suffered brain damage and had to be euthanized.
According to Central Coast News, Melanie Sobel, shelter manager for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter stated: “"We want to send a clear message that this is absolutely unacceptable behavior by these children towards these defenseless animals."
The Animal Friends Rescue Project is caring for the two surviving kittens. One of the kittens will need an operation on his eyes. The kitten is blind at this time from increased eye pressure due to the tightness of the noose around her neck. The two male survivors have been named Patrick and Henry.
Happily the kittens are healing both physically and emotionally. A Facebook entry from the organization this evening stated:
Patrick and Henry will be available for adoption in 3-4 weeks; once they have healed from surgery and are sufficiently healed emotionally. It's wonderful to see them playing and trying their best to be 'normal' kittens; they deserve perfect homes.
Patrick and Henry are recovering in foster care. Both are being treated for eye damage, and one kitten faces surgery to have an eye removed. Animal Friends Rescue Project is gratefully accepting donations towards their medical care.
An article in PsychologyToday.com contends that childhood animal cruelty is the first warning sign of later delinquency, violence, and criminal behavior. Virtually all violent criminals have had a history of animal cruelty and abuse. Children who abuse animals most commonly are children who have been abused themselves or have witnessed abuse.
(Examiner - Aug 4, 2012)
