Teen pleads guilty in dog's torture death

[Global Paw]

One of two Indianapolis teens accused in the torture death of a dog pleaded guilty Monday in a case that has drawn national attention from animal-rights activists.

The 15-year-old told Marion County juvenile court Judge Julie Cartmel that he took the dog to the roof of a Westside residence on March 21, then tossed the animal to the ground. The fall broke the pit bull's back in multiple places. The teens then dragged the dog away and left it to die, authorities said.

The Indianapolis Star generally does not name youths tried in juvenile court.

A neighbor who witnessed the incident told police she was horrified to see the laughing teens on the roof holding onto the dog's legs, then swinging it back and forth a few times before letting it go, said Indianapolis Police Department Detective Christa Dobbs.

Dobbs said the boy's mother was out of town when he and a group of other boys corralled the stray female dog, which had recently given birth to puppies. It had to be put to death by animal control officers.

"This is probably one of the worst conditions in an animal I have seen," said animal control Officer Tracy Hutchens. "I just hope he understands the pain he put on this animal."

The teen who pleaded guilty was ordered to remain on house arrest until sentencing July 12. Cartmel also prohibited the teen from being around any animals without supervision.

"He has not proven he has any respect for life," she said. "He has no appreciation for what he has done. I do not want him around any animals, not even a goldfish."

The other boy charged in the case, a 13-year-old, said he was in the group but took no part in throwing the animal off the roof.

Cartmel set the younger boy's trial for June 21.

Deputy Prosecutor Karen Kaufman said she usually feels sorry for children who appear in juvenile court on criminal charges because many come from homes where they have no chance to succeed.

"These boys are old enough to know better, and what these boys did shows a lack of respect for humanity, and that is very scary."

In a letter to the prosecutor's office, animal-rights activist Daniel Paden, of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said the organization was inundated with calls from outraged Indianapolis residents who heard about the case through media reports.

Paden said psychiatric and criminal behavior professionals have found that animal cruelty is an indicator of future violent behavior against people.

"Given the strong connection between cruelty to animals and other forms of violence, it is imperative, for everyone's sake, that this case be taken seriously."

He said this was not a case of "boys being boys."

Animal control officials said 1,307 animal neglect and cruelty cases were reported in Marion County last year, and more than 60 percent involved pit bulls, frequently used in illegal dogfights.

[Global Paw]

This is so upsetting...if this would have happened with me around...there is no telling what I would have done to those little...jerks.

[Global Paw]

I say we all write letters...

[stardust]

*&$!@% ?$*&^@*!@ i cant believe those little &*^%$!!!!! i am so angry....

[Global Paw]

Originally Posted by stardust

*&$!@% ?$*&^@*!@ i cant believe those little &*^%$!!!!! i am so angry....

I am beyond angry...this makes my blood boil...my heart rate increases whenever I think about it...

[Taz]

He had beter get the max. punishment(which is never enough )

[Pugdawg1]

That little cold hearted creep needs to rot in jail for a very long time.

[Mellie]

I just read this and I can feel my heart beating like it's gonna' burst... from the disgust and anger I feel toward those kids; from the sorrow and helplessness I feel for the dog; and for the pity and frustration I feel toward humanity.
That poor dog is just one in a million. And those kids are just 2 in more than I wish were out there. Why?

[Lilly'smom]

That's so sad, some people are just sick.
I can't even imagine what kind of adults those kids will grow to be, scary.

[Global Paw]

it is so disgusting...

[Lil'Paws]

That makes my heart ache.. Those boys need to be showed what it feels like to be treated that way. I can only imagine what they will grow up to be like.. And I dont believe all the therapy in the world is going to help them.. They are just heartless..

[Global Paw]

people who abuse animals grow up to abuse and kill people...

[Ruby~Eyes]

I hate people like that But saddly I am not surprised The world is so violant. I hate those disgusting jerks If I had seen that going on. I would have gone on that roof and thrown them off and see how they like it If I ever saw them on the street I would go and give them a piece of mind those sick twisted idiot people

[Global Paw]

Originally Posted by Ruby~Eyes

I hate people like that But saddly I am not surprised The world is so violant. I hate those disgusting jerks If I had seen that going on. I would have gone on that roof and thrown them off and see how they like it If I ever saw them on the street I would go and give them a piece of mind those sick twisted idiot people

here, here.

[Rip's Girl]

That makes me so friggin mad, seeing people do that to an animal. I hope those jerks pay for that.