Beaten pet euthanized; suspects are ages 8-11

Michigan - Four young children are suspected of beating a cat with a large stick and assaulting it with a butter knife, leaving the feline so badly injured that it had to be euthanized.

The Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office is now reviewing whether to file charges against the Ypsilanti Township children, two boys and two girls ranging in age from 8 to 11.

"It's a very disturbing case, and we're deeply saddened by the suffering this cat went through and worried about the children involved as well,'' said Tanya Hilgendorf, executive director of the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

Humane Society cruelty investigators submitted the case to the juvenile court division after investigating the incident, which occurred several months ago, officials said. The cat was the pet of two of the children.

The attack occurred at a neighbor's house. Even though the cat was severely injured, it was able to drag itself home, the Humane Society said. Two days later, the cat's owner, who is the mother of two of the children, took the feline to a local emergency veterinary clinic, which called the Humane Society.

The clinic reported that the cat had a broken back, was paralyzed and had severe internal injuries.

Hilgendorf said investigators talked extensively to the children about what happened.

"The only reason they gave was, 'It was cool,''' she said.

Washtenaw County Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Steve Hiller said the matter is technically not criminal complaint, but is a civil delinquency petition - as it would be in any situation involving someone under 17.

If a petition is authorized, the children would have to come to court with their parents for a probable cause hearing to determine whether the case should proceed.

Hilgendorf said her hope is for intervention, not punishment.