Canadian Teens Convicted for Microwaving Family's Cat as Christmas 'Gift'

[WriteDown]

Source: Fox News

Two Canadian teens were handed a year’s probation for trashing a home while the owners were on vacation, and leaving behind a nasty present, according to the Globe and Mail.

Among the $10,000 in damages was writing scrawled on the kitchen window and cabinets: "You had a nice cat" and "it's in the microwave."

Princess, the cat, "was screaming in the microwave for 10 minutes while it was essentially cooked to death," Prosecutor John Laluk reportedly told the court.

The two 16-year-old boys from Camrose, Alberta, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering, theft and causing pain to an animal. Both were sentenced to 100 hours of community service and one had to give up his family dog, the newspaper reported....

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,417802,00.html

---

Is it wrong to favor the death penalty for this scum? I am seeing red right now.

[LeftyMom]

1. 100 hours of community service?

How about, "you get to go stay in a hospital and take enough happy pills to anesthetize a horse until you finally convince some deluded, overly optimistic soul fresh out of med school you're fit for outpatient care, you sick, miserable little fuck."

That sounds like the right kind of sentence for those kids, if a bit generous.

[jhrobbins]

30. I think PETA should consider forming a little 'shadow' group to

visit people like this. These guys are on their way to serious lives of crime.

[LeftyMom]

34. Those kids need locked up and treated.

Stomping them into a bloody smear might be cathartic, but it's not going to do anything to fix them or a society that doesn't take animal cruelty seriously. For that matter, whoever delivered the beat down they so richly deserve would do more time than they did. :(

[jhrobbins]

40. Yeah, but it's sorta like that starfish story - ther's a lot of beached

starfish out there and it's hard to get to all of them, but it makes a difference to the 'starfish' right in front of you.
And, of course, I agree with you about the violence - if it came right down to it, I couldn't actually condone said smackdown.

[Codeine]

41. Those kids can never be treated.

That behavior is indicative of souls, minds, and hearts irreparably broken. They have ceased to be humans.

[Captain Hilts]

77. I agree with you. nt

[Critters2]

43. Sometimes, the best the criminal justice system can offer is public safety.

These kids need to be locked up and never walk free again. I don't care about making them suffer while incarcerated. Revenge does no good. But they have demonstrated they can't be trusted around humans or non-human animals. They need to be kept away from society, for everyone's well-being.

[LeftyMom]

47. I didn't say I honestly expected treatment to get anywhere.

To do something like that, you've pretty much got to be either massively delusional (might be treatable) or more likely a sociopath, and as far as I know the only treatment for sociopaths is to keep them away from any potential victims you plan on keeping.

[offog]

75. I agree that those kids are probably sociopaths.

Many serial killers start exhibiting sociopathic tendencies when they're kids; torturing animals, often cats. And treatment doesn't work on sociopaths. Those kids will probably grow up to be "natural born killers". I agree that the only thing to do is "keep them away from any potential victims".

[jmowreader]

52. I don't think they can be treated

These two individuals are animals. No human being puts a cat in a microwave and cooks it to death.

The Japanese had it right: there are some crimes for which the only acceptable punishment is self-disembowelment. This is one of them.

[Faith No More]

62. Gee

I'll bet Mike Huckabee's son would get a kick out of that.

[LiberadorHugo]

81. Sorry bud...

We have no room for this guy: There's too many people in jailing for smoking and distributing pot.

[kwolf68]

2. This gives me the chills

How anyone could do that to a helpless, defenseless animal? The cat probably came up to the boys innocent thinking every human was like its owners.

So the cat's conclusion in life is this brutal death simply because she was weaker than these two pieces of shit.

If anyone ever did this to either of my two I'd rip their head off.

Oh yea...these two boys need to have this act permently on their record...there is a direct corelation between brutality toward animals and humans. But people don't give a shit and it's only getting worse after a few years there where animal welfare was important..Im shocked Palin did skin a moose on stage at the RNC.

[WriteDown]

9. I wouldbn't rip their heads off...

But they would spend the rest of their lives crying about the pieces they were missing. I would gladly serve my probation in order to exact this type of justice.

[LisaL]

3. Probation? That will teach them...

WTF?

[aquart]

4. Microwave them.

These killers must not reproduce.

[WriteDown]

7. Now you're talking....

I would also not be opposed to castration.

[LisaL]

8. Too bad a defensless cat was at home, and not some

big pitbull.

[WriteDown]

11. Or someone with a gun...

One good thing about California and Texas. This scum would be at room temperature and no charges would even have to be filed. If it was ever deserved, it was here.

[LisaL]

12. Oh for sure. If somebody breaks into your home in TX you

can shoot them.
Not sure what the law is in Canada.
Frankly I don't understand why those cat killers didn't get any jail time.

[kwolf68]

14. Trouble is

No one was home. These pieces of trash probably knew that too. Had someone been home it would have been different...they wouldn't have broken in.

Sadly, the cat was one of those trusting cats, loves everyone and it cost her her life. She probably came out happy that she heard people, looking for some pets and then had that happen to her.

While this poor cat is screaming in agony for 10 minutes the boys watched and did nothing...they just let the cat die while hearing her die.

Congrats to "the good kid". Heartless bastards....a great example of why the human race is going to eat itself.

[aquart]

51. I dunno. I've met some cats who got some of their own back.

Julep, who was hanged but survived, had skin in her teeth. Everyone respected Julep.

[lligrd]

5. 100 Hours - Far To Lenient

They should have to serve a year at an animal shelter and get psychiatric help. Animal abusers generally move on to abuse people later in life and this should be taken very seriously.

[Gormy Cuss]

6. "He's a very good kid who did something very wrong.”

Chris Millsap, the other defence lawyer, described his client as a gifted musician who plays in the church band.

“There's no explanation ... for such a heinous crime,” said Mr. Millsap. “He's a very good kid who did something very wrong.”

Umm, no, he's a budding sociopath in need of psychotherapy not community service.

[kwolf68]

10. He's fucked up

Anyone who will do that is potentially dangerous. HE's NOT a good kid...he's a terrible piece of trash. How can you hear the screams and whimpers of a harmless animal and just not give a shit?

What the fuck kinda of compassion are they teaching at this so-called church? What's his dad do for a living? CLub baby seals?

I believe in 2nd chances and I would even believe in a 2nd chance for this fucker, but it's gonna take a hell of a lot more than some 'he's a good kid' bullshit platitude to convince me.

[Gormy Cuss]

15. And community service isn't the answer in this case.

Break a dozen windows, do community service.

Slowly torture an animal to death and leave it for the family to find? That's too sick to be addressed via community service and the adults who pretend that he's a good kid who made one mistake aren't doing him any favors.

[WriteDown]

66. You are far more forgiving than me...

but I don't hold it against you.

[Bette Noir]

24. Good kids don't torture and kill animals.

Next time, it might be a child, or a woman.

[progdonkey]

26. Ted Bundy was a good kid, too, I'm sure...

You know, before he started raping and murdering women.

[rpannier]

54. To borrow a line from L&O Criminal Intent

No he's not a good a kid. Good kids don't commit crimes like this.

I hope some enterprising n eighbor starts posting signs and leaflets around the community warning everyone about these sick twisted individuals.

[flvegan]

13. I have a fondness in my heart for meeting these two boys.

As soon as they turn 18.

Canada needs to step up on the animal cruelty spectrum.

[kwolf68]

16. Block Block Block

If I think about this incident it makes me so angry, so sad. I'm a man's man...I play hockey, I play drums, and I can scrap pretty good if I need to.

But man do I have a soft spot in my heart for animals, and for whatever reason cats. I don't know why I like the little fuzzballs, but I do.

That said, I'm going to bed with my wife and two cats...maybe I'll give my two a little extra pets tonight before I fall to sleep.

Peace out everyone and keep the fires burning.

[WriteDown]

67. I am not even a cat person...

I have a cat who is a leftover from an old roommate that didn't want her, but I am not a cat person. I have always had more of a kinship with dogs. Regardless, I just can't get over this story.

[Hissyspit]

17. O.K. Cat torturer defenders. Come on out. We know you're here.

"It's just a cat."

Fuck you.

[BreweryYardRat]

18. A year's probation? Fuck that. Kill them.

Flay off their skin with a scourge and chase them howling and screaming through the streets, splashing them constantly with buckets of boiling brine. When they finally collapse, douse them in gasoline and burn them alive. That's about as close as you can get to the pain that poor cat went through.

I have heard of some SICK shit directed towards animals, but this is the worst in years.

[Frisbee]

19. God damn this shit pisses me off...

until the are REAL penalties for abusing animals, this shit will continue. But I guess this was in a country that allows clubbing baby seals to death, it shouldn't come as a surprise that it would only lead to a slap on the wrist. As for the death penalty, I wouldn't protest it, that's for damn sure. It's amazing, BTW, how many serial killers abused animals as children and teenagers. It is an early indication that these psychos need help, and fast.

[WriteDown]

68. Most people like this...

Don't consider the punishment when committing the crime. Your analysis of serial killers is spot on though.

[Sailing]

20. Word will get around in their community.

Those two will not be able to take 2 steps anywhere without being harassed the rest of their lives. That will be their real punishment.

[Frisbee]

31. "That will be their real punishment."

May be, but it's not enough.

[shadowknows69]

21. If it was my home and cat

I'd end up killing the two little fuckers myself probably.

[jhrobbins]

28. You know, I hate to say it because I call myslef a good Christian-

but I would want these guys dead. We have a lot of cats (10+) and a couple of dogs and I cannot for the life of me understand the thought processes of human vermin like this - and their lawyer says they play in the church band. This story ruined my night.

[Kool Kitty]

29. I sadly have to agree.

I'd be the one in jail.

[Lorien]

22. Ugh. My dad's friend's young children tried to "warm up the cat" in the

microwave. Mom came home to two traumatized kids and a horrific mess. Just an awful memory that this disgusting article brought back for me. :cry: :grr:

[Bigleaf]

23. My immediatley family consists of my wife, son, myself, 2 dogs and 4 cats. If this happened to us,

I'd literally plant a Louisville Slugger upside their fucking heads. No one, and I mean no one, fucks with my family (critters included). I wish I was their neighbor! When I read this shit, it brings out the nasty streak in me.

[trthnd4jstc]

25. I do not like the thought of telling you that your feelings are wrong, but

I am against the Death Penalty. I am against the Death Penalty for several reasons:

1. Noone is doing a perfect job, and we are all guilty of violating decency, the law, or good sense at one time or another.
2. The innocent may be executed.
3. A perpetrator may straighten up, and I believe that forgiveness should be an option.
4. I do not want the State to decide to kill: I do not like the perspective of Necessary Homicide, i.e. Steve McQueen, or Dirty Harry. I think that it is unhealthy for a society, and our society is unhealthy for the State to endorse Necessary Homicide, e.g. The War in Iraq.
5. Perpetrators can be a source for understanding Society and Psychology: We can study the Perpetrators to understand the development of this terrible sort of behavior, and assist Parents, Schools, and Communities to help prevent the Causes, if possible within a free society, of course we need to return our society to the Republic that we once were, but, hopefully, we will return to our republic.
6. Living with ones guilt can be an object lesson to others. Of course this means, in the case above, that one or two of the young men possess a conscience, but if they do, maybe they may help affect someone else from performing such a terrible deed.

I admit that I am a very emotional person. I struggle with my desires to obtain vengeance. I do believe, though, that it is not my place to judge, but it is my place to live the best, most noble life that I possibly can.

Good Luck! And, when I think about what these people did, I am disturbed also.

[Critters2]

32. Do you have a cat?

All I can think about is the pain caused to the animal. These little monsters should never walk free again. That isn't judging--they pled guilty. It isn't revenge. Animals--and humans--deserve to be safe. The best way to do that is to throw these psychopaths in prison and throw away the key.

[davidinalameda]

27. I'm going to get my cats and snuggle with them

the little bastards should be stuck in a microwave

[Critters2]

33. According to the Calgary Sun, another of these monsters "lit a sibling on fire".

Time to toss 'em all in prison and throw away the key!

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Crime/2008/01/09/pf-4760478.html

[rpannier]

55. Hate groups...I see

How about Groups of Outraged and Angry Citizens

[WriteDown]

69. But he's a GOOD kid...

:eyes:

[Lil Missy]

35. OMFG. That just hurts and makes me so sick.

:cry:

[RyanClark]

36. "Causing pain"?!

"Causing pain to an animal?!" While animal abuse is wrong on every level, this was not merely "causing pain"! The cat quite clearly had along and torturous death. They should be heavily punished for the death of the animal, and moreso for the outrageous torture it had to endure. My heart goes out to the family who lost their pet. 100 hours of community service if far too lenient. Even considering community service as a punishment is too lenient! Lock them up!!! Forever! Wreck my home, steal from it, but if anyone ever did that to one of my pets, they would not live to see another day, guaranteed.

[DUlover2909]

39. If you killed them a jury would probably grant temporary insanity not guilty plea.

[Dorian Gray]

37. What evil little shitheads...

psychopaths in the making.

That just made me want to hug my kitty!

[DUlover2909]

38. This is murder plain and simple. I'd support life in prison.

What I think would be just is to microwave them to death.

[Codeine]

42. I can't support the death penalty,

but there is no reason whatsoever either of these two pathetic little shits should see natural sunlight or breath open, free air again.

[guruoo]

44. I'd hunt them down...

and leave them swimming with the fishes.

[stark6935]

45. Reminds me of the story of...

where the guy was cutting his dog up with a chainsaw in the backyard about a year ago. Like wtf? http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/395501226.?ltl=1168049450

PALMER - The Monson man who attacked a dog with a chain saw because he told police he saw the devil in its eyes will spend 2½ years in jail after pleading guilty to felony animal cruelty charges yesterday in Palmer District Court.

Randall R. Mason, 42, appeared before Judge Patricia T. Poehler and was given 2½ years at the House of Correction, the maximum for the offense. Mason's court-appointed lawyer, Thomas A. Waldron, of Springfield, declined comment.

"I think it's appropriate for the facts and the circumstances of the case," prosecutor Michelle S. Cruz said yesterday.

News of the attack struck a chord with animal lovers appalled by what happened to the mixed-breed dog named Blue. The dog, whose head was sliced and paws nearly severed, was euthanized due to its injuries at Springfield's Boston Road Animal Hospital.

Palmer native Brenda A. Waters started an Internet petition to help ensure Mason was punished by the courts for the dog assault. More than 5,000 people signed, from across the United States and as far away as the United Kingdom and Australia. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also asked Hampden County District Attorney William M. Bennett for the vigorous prosecution of Mason.

Waters, the lone demonstrator at a court hearing for Mason last month, was disappointed the case did not proceed to a higher level and Mason will not get more jail time.

A bind-over hearing to move the case to Hampden Superior Court was scheduled for today. If the case had been transferred, the penalty would have been up to five years in state prison.

"It's really sad that the judge in this instance didn't recognize the danger this kind of person is to the community," Waters said. "Animal cruelty doesn't usually end with animal cruelty. Two and a half years later, what's this person going to do?"

Mason has been held in lieu of $10,000 bail since his Jan. 4 arrest. Mason had been staying with Jason Wemette at 84 Town Farm Road in Monson when the incident happened. Mason told Monson Officer Shannon Bingle he "saw the devil in the dog's eyes" when it arrived at the house in the early morning on Jan. 4.

Waldron said at Mason's arraignment two months ago he had been acting in self-defense, but Assistant District Attorney Mary D. Partyka said Mason did not have injuries consistent with being attacked and was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time.

Wemette, who could not be reached for comment, has since sold his Monson home, according to a filing with the Registry of Deeds. Sheila J. Chlebus was baby-sitting for Wemette when she heard Mason start up the chain saw. She said she didn't believe Mason when he said the dog attacked him.

In her police statement, Chlebus wrote when Mason drinks, "he does stupid stuff." She also wrote that Mason tried to stop the dog's bleeding with a towel, and was crying.

"I am glad that Mr. Mason accepted responsibility and that he is being held accountable for his actions," Monson Police Chief Stephen Kozloski Jr. said in an e-mail.

Mason previously served a one-year jail term for stealing a gun five years ago from Wemette. Mason's former employer, who did not want to be identified, said Mason had to be let go because of his drinking.

[depakid]

46. "Is it wrong to favor the death penalty for this scum?"

Probably not in Texas... which is forutnately a long way from Canada.

[WriteDown]

70. Sounds like Canada could use a little bit of Texas....

And Texas could probably use some Canada too.

[Evoman]

79. Now thanks....we'll do just fine. Keep Texas the hell away from us, please.

In fact, feel free to take back the hunters who come up here, tresspass on farms, and act like drunken, dangerous idiots.

[JeanGrey]

48. What???? Probation? Are you joking?

[provis99]

49. Canadian sentences are sickenly weak in general

I'm surprised the whole population isn't up in arms, taking vigilante justice. My brother living in Canada emailed me an article today about a convict in Saskatchewan who's racked up 15 violent felonies including several attempted murders, 6 uttering death threats, 30 robberies and burglaries, several prison breaks and escape from custodies, and numerous violations of court orders. The court is "considering" whether to label him a "violent" offender. (and he's only 41)

Sometimes, Texas justice doesn't seem so bad; neither does "three strikes and you're out".

[depakid]

53. Canadians aren't over the top and punishment obsessed

like Americans and particularly Texans.

One reason why they don't have the world's largest, most expensive- and growing prison system.

Show someone a Fox news story designed to rile them up- and DU'ers will inevitably go off the deep end and oblige.

Same reason why the nation was so gung ho to get conned into Iraq- and it's why torture's become acceptible.

[Caradoc]

59. I agree...

...no justice system should be 'one size fits all'. That's a typically conservative view. The US justice/prison system is a classic example of the right-wing's love of 'easy answers to complex questions'.

[WriteDown]

72. Sometimes...

the "one size" does fit two cat killers though. Nuff said.

[Critters2]

65. So you agree that probation is an appropriate punishment for microwaving a cat,

and breaking and entering a home (twice) and doing $10,000 worth of property damage? I used to be director of a Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, and still give presentations on restorative justice, of which I am a strong proponent. One component of restorative justice is proportional sentencing. Another is a stress on public safety over retribution. There's nothing proportional about probation for the boys who committed these crimes. There needs to be real consequences. And people who torture animals often move on to do the same to humans. So, the public safety argument calls for something more than probation.

These kids should be in prison.

[WriteDown]

71. Ridiculous...

I posted this story because people SHOULD be riled up. I want someone in Canada to read these thoughts and take action(hopefully within the law). So do you consider subjecting these little demons to a 100th of pain that cat suffered to be "over the top." I am amazed daily by how detached people are to the pain of animals.

[Caradoc]

74. Based upon what?

Canadian sentences sickeningly weak 'in general'? With all due respect, based upon what as your standard of measurement? The US system, which resembles something out of the darkest pages of Dickens? These sick cases are notable because they are so out of the ordinary, and the fact that this judge has his/her head so far up their a** when passing sentence is what's notable. Condemning the whole Canadian justice system as 'weak' is patently unfair. Hmmm, let's see...heard of OJ? Ken Lay? They did the crime but didn't do the time. Whole US justice/prison system lax then, is it? Canadian prisons are no picnic either...far from it.

[Evoman]

78. And guess what? I'd still rather live here than your backwards country.

[malletgirl02]

50. Distrubing

Isn't true that many serial killers start by abusing animals? Those teens are in desperate need of an intervention before they escalate.

[LeftishBrit]

56. Horrifying. Very sick.

I don't favour the death penalty, but they need psychiatric testing, and then either a prison sentence or be placed in a psychiatric hospital, depending on findings about their sanity.

This could be a result of drugs or mental illness, in which case it may be treatable. Otherwise, anyone who can torture a cat like that, is also likely to end up being violent toward humans.

[Caradoc]

58. Permanent sedation...

Permanent sedation is the only solution for these two. Ritalin for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chemical lobotomies. The pair of them are not going to be normal and the act is a direct threat to society at large.

By the way, please spare a little righteous outrage for what humans do to humans as well. Haiti, for example.

[Blue_Tires]

73. +1

[theFrankFactor]

57. Humans

There is no creature on Earth capable of inflicting pain and suffering to the depth and magnitude of human beings.

[Ferret Annica]

60. If someone did that to a pet of mine

I would kill them when I got the opportunity too. This would be a black and white situation to me.

I find this angering and disgusting behavior that has no excuse to it.

[PfcHammer]

61. Absolutely disgusting.

I would advocate killing them, but I believe
that is in their own immediate future as a
result of their own actions.:puke:

[liberalla]

63. 10 minutes is a long time...

That poor cat. I don't know why I click on these threads. They always sicken me.

[chatnoir]

64. Omfg... why did I read that

:cry:

Community service for KILLING and in such a twisted sick manner? What is wrong with the judicial system up there? Anyone remember Karla Homolka? Jesus, the ppl who did this are sick creatures who are a danger to society. I'm sorry but putting a cat in a microwave to kill her and listening to her die - that's not a mistake, that's frickin evil and deserves hard punishment, not community service.

If that were my poor cat, I'd hunt these f****** down and make them die a long slow death.

[Captain Hilts]

76. Wow, this has ALL the social danger signs. They got off FAR too lightly. nt

[Evoman]

80. This shit is disturbing and the sentence was too lenient. But people advocating torture and murder

in response are pretty fucking gross.

Please do us a favour...if you advocate the death penalty or microwaving or torturing or sodomizing these teens in jail, do Canada a favour and stay the hell away from us.

[LiberadorHugo]

82. What colour was the cat?

If the cat had been black, I bet Mike Huckabee would make an assassination joke.