Teens accused of stoning cat to death in Carrick face animal cruelty charges

CARRICK, Pa. — Police said they arrested two 14-year-old boys accused of throwing rocks and a cinder block at a cat in Carrick.

Investigators said a maintenance worker witnessed a group of teens throwing rocks at a cat on May 10 behind a baseball field at Volunteer Park in Carrick.

The worker said he yelled at the boys to stop, but they swore at him and continued to abuse the animal.

The worker told police that he witnessed one of the teens pick up a cinder block and crush the cat's skull. The cat was killed.

“The one juvenile picked up a rock about the size of a baseball and hit the cat with it. Then they all joined in and continued to stone the cat,” Pittsburgh Police officer Christine Luffey said.

Luffey said one of the teens confessed to the crime.

“His version is he was under pressure to stone the cat. He was sorry he participated. We asked him if he learned any lessons, and he said to not hang out with the wrong crowd,” Luffey said.

Four more teenagers are expected to face charges later this week. Officials said the six teens involved are students at South Brook Middle School and Carrick High School.

Authorities said they’re not sure if the cat was a pet or a stray.

“That’s not a normal reaction to seeing a cat. Most kids would want to pet it, not stone it to death. So these kids need intervention at an early age, or they’re going to grow up and be violent criminals,” humane officer Kathy Hecker said.

Investigators agreed that crimes against animals at a young age can lead to more serious crimes as the teens get older.

"Kids killing animals must be stopped," Hecker said. "This behavior leads to more serious charges."

Authorities said the six boys will be charged with cruelty to animals and criminal conspiracy.

WPXI