Cat microwaved to death during robbery - Camrose, AB

Sunday, Dec 30, 2007

Disposition: Convicted

Defendants/Suspects:
» 13 year old male - Alleged
» 15 year old male - Alleged
» 15 year old male
» 15 year old male

Case Updates: 9 update(s) available

Four Alberta teens have been charged with animal cruelty after a cat was found dead in a microwave.

A 13-year-old and three 15-year-olds are also facing a number of other charges after a break-in occurred over the weekend at a home in the central Alberta community of Camrose, about 90 kilometres from Edmonton.

Police say the incident happened while the homeowners were out of town. A friend who checked on the home made the grisly discovery, finding the cat inside the microwave.

Police say the microwave had been turned on.

"Obviously, it's very disturbing. We're used to dealing with property crime but when you go and do something like this it's upsetting," said Camrose Police Service Insp. Lee Foreman.

The incident has left the community in shock.

"I get a little disturbed when I hear of things like that going on," one resident told CTV News Edmonton. "That's just senseless and stupid," he said, petting his dog.

Other residents said they're also concerned that young people have been charged.

Several thousand dollars of electronics were also taken during the robbery. Police say they have recovered most of the stolen property. The teens will appear in court in February. They cannot be identified because of legal restrictions.

Case Updates

Two Camrose teens who pleaded guilty to killing a neighbour's cat by putting it in a microwave were sentenced to 100 hours of community service Thursday. Justice Shauna Miller ruled the two teenagers will be put on one year probation for their role in the gruesome case. They are also banned from owning a pet for two years and must pay $500 in restitution to the family. They have also been placed on a curfew for one year and aren't allowed to play violent video games. The case comes after two Camrose teenagers, both 16, pleaded guilty in July to unlawfully causing pain and suffering to an animal. The two boys, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, also pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering. Three 16-year-old boys and a 13-year-old teen were charged in early 2008 after a family pet was found dead in a microwave. An RCMP investigation revealed the cat died when the appliance was turned on. The two boys, both 15 at the time of the crime, offered statements to the court before the judge handed down her decision. "I am really sorry for what I did and I can guarantee it will never happen again," one said. "I am very sorry for what I did," the other said. "I can't believe I was involved in something with this intensity of wrongess. I don't plan on hurting or harming any other families." Court had previously heard the suspects put the cat in the microwave, turned it on for 10 minutes and listened to its screams before it died. A family friend of the homeowners discovered the dead cat, named Princess, on Dec. 30 while the family was away on Christmas vacation. The house had been broken into and trashed. Police later found the words, "The cat is in the microwave. Nice cat. You had a nice cat," scribbled on a kitchen cupboard. Chris Miller, the defence lawyer for one of the teens, says the boys are good kids who did something wrong. "It's an appropriate sentence," he said. "I know that's difficult for some people to accept." The boys had no previous criminal history leading up to the incident. During the trial, a judge ordered psychological assessments on both teens. A group of animal activist, who stationed themselves outside of the courtroom for all the teenagers' trials, said they are disappointed with the sentencing. "For them to virtually walk away ... it's not that tough of a sentence," said Tove Reece, an activist with Voice for Animals. Two other youth pleaded not guilty to similar charges. Their trial is scheduled for Nov. 17.

Source: Calgary CTV - Sept 4, 2008 Update posted on Sep 6, 2008 - 12:36PM

The sentencing of two teens who pleaded guilty to putting a cat in a microwave and turning it on has been put off for another month, despite pleas from the defence to wrap up the case. Camrose judge J.H. Goss ruled Thursday to adjourn the sentencing to September 4 after one of the teens failed to finish a pre-sentencing report. Crown prosecutor John Laluk told the judge the report was not finished due to a lack of communication between the teen and the probation officer. The case comes after two Camrose teenagers pleaded guilty to unlawfully causing pain and suffering to an animal. The two boys, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, also pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering. Three 15-year-old boys and a 13-year-old teen were charged in early 2008 after a family pet was found dead in a microwave. An RCMP investigation revealed the cat died when the appliance was turned on. A family friend of the homeowners discovered the dead cat, named Princess, on Dec. 30 while the family was away on Christmas vacation. The house had been broken into and trashed. During the sentencing hearing Thursday, Goss also asked for a psychiatric assessment on the two teenagers due to the nature of the charges. Goss said the crime is particularly troubling because the teens put the cat in the microwave, turned it on for 10 minutes and listened to its screams. Meanwhile, defence lawyer Chris Mill argued the sentence should be handed down Thursday to provide closure for the two involved. He said school starts in September and the kids deserve to start the school year with a clean slate. Outside of the courtroom, two separate groups of protestors got into an argument over the fate of the teens. One protestor held a sign supporting the accused which argued the kids suffered enough as they were instantly prosecuted by Camrose residents as soon as their names leaked onto the internet. Activists supporting Princess argued the sign was unreasonable.

Source: CTV.C - July 17, 2008 Update posted on Jul 19, 2008 - 12:30PM

Two teenage boys have pleaded guilty to breaking into a home in central Alberta and putting the pet cat into the microwave, leaving it there despite hearing screams of pain for the 10 minutes it took the animal to die. The two boys, aged 15 and 16, were set to begin trial Wednesday on robbery and animal cruelty charges in Camrose youth court. Instead, they pleaded guilty to breaking into a house on two different nights last December while the family was out of town, smashing possessions and stealing things. They also admitted to causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal by killing Princess on the second night. "The household pet, a cat, was picked up, placed in a microwave and the microwave was turned on for a substantial amount of time," Crown lawyer John Laluk read from an agreed statement of facts. The cat was described as screaming as it was slowly cooked. "After 10 minutes, the sounds diminished and the cat ... died." Several people in the courtroom gasped as the description was read aloud. Laluk went on to say that on their way out of the house, the teens scrawled several messages across the walls. "You had a nice cat," read one, while another suggested the homeowners look in the microwave. The two teens stood silently next to their lawyers as Laluk spoke. Wearing sneakers and matching black-and-white checkered belts, they looked down and said almost nothing. Outside court, Laluk said the plea agreement was reached a few days ago. There was one motivation behind the reversal, he said. "Remorse. Just flat out remorse." News of the cat's death shocked many. Protesters have followed the case through the justice system, waving signs demanding justice for Princess. Chris Millsap, who represented the 15-year-old boy, said his client's family was forced to move from the community after the crime became public. "Unfortunately, with his age, other people of his age have, perhaps, taken matters into their own hands and made it difficult for him," he said. "He's been teased, he's been bothered, he's been harassed." Millsap said his client had long intended to plead guilty, but the not-guilty plea had been entered to provide enough time to look at evidence and review facts. His client, he said, is sorry and will speak before the two boys are sentenced July 17. "(He feels) a great deal of remorse, and that will be shown at the sentencing hearing." The lawyer for the 16-year-old boy declined comment. Tove Reece, executive director of Voice for Animals, said she has attended many of the hearings. At times blinking back tears, she said it was very difficult for a group of animal lovers to hear the facts of the case. "On the other hand, I'm happy that the kids, these two, pleaded guilty. It does show that they are starting to understand the seriousness of what happened, and perhaps feel some remorse." Laluk said it's not yet clear what kind of sentence the two boys will receive. In April, the federal government passed Bill S-203, which updated animal cruelty laws in the Criminal Code for the first time in a century. The legislation, which started as a private member's bill proposed by Liberal Senator John Bryden, saw the maximum penalty for animal cruelty increase to five years in prison and a fine of $10,000, up from six months in jail and a $2,000 fine. But Laluk said the Youth Criminal Justice Act makes it very difficult for two individuals with no records to be given jail time. A pre-sentencing report has been ordered and it will determine whether psychological testing is necessary. Two other boys are also charged in the robbery and the cat's death. They are scheduled to go to trial in November, but Laluk said discussions are ongoing about whether a plea deal could also be reached in their cases.

Source: 570 News - June 4, 2008 Update posted on Jun 4, 2008 - 9:40PM

Two of the youths charged in the horrific microwaving of a cat in Camrose last year have pleaded not guilty � and will go on trial in June. Three 15-year-old boys and a 13-year-old were arrested after a series of break-ins and the killing of the cat at a Camrose home Dec. 29 and 30. "This is highly unusual and disturbing behaviour," Camrose police Insp. Lee Foreman said after the arrest. "It's a cruel thing to do." The teens, whose identifies are protected by law, were charged with break, enter and theft under $5,000, mischief under $5,000, possession of stolen property, unlawfully killing an animal and causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal. Police kept one of the accused in custody and released the other three to their parents. And while two of the youths entered not-guilty pleas today, the other pair reserved their plea. They'll appear back in court April 3. On hand once again outside the courthouse today were members of the Edmonton-based Voice for Animals lobby group, holding placards and distributing literature. But besides protesting the cat killing, executive director Tove Reece explained the activists had an even bigger concern � the recent passage of controversial federal crime bill S203 through an Ottawa justice committee. "The main message today was the betrayal of the animals," she said. "We wanted to get the message out." Animal-welfare groups complain the bill � designed to protect animals and increase punishments for abuse � doesn't go as far as a rival private-member's bill, C373. They say it fails to address issues like neglect, puppy mills, dog-fighting, stray animals and cruelty to wildlife. "Although it seems strange that humane societies and SPCAs are fighting against this bill, it's because it doesn't do enough," said Shelagh MacDonald, program director of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. But Diane Shannon at the Edmonton Humane Society � which received a donation of $1,625 today from St. Angela school students motivated by the recent stories of animal cruelty � described the proposed legislation as "baby steps" in the right direction. And University of Alberta law prof. Sanjeev Anand said the Camrose case may contribute to that change. "The more types of incidents like this," he said, "the more impetus there's going to be on lawmakers to address the problem."

Source: Sun News Alberta - March 6, 2008 Update posted on Mar 7, 2008 - 2:49AM

A group of anti-animal cruelty protesters stood outside court in Camrose, Alta., as a judge put the case of several teens accused of using a microwave oven to kill a family cat over until March 6. It's alleged that three 15-year-olds and a 13-year-old broke into a Camrose home on Dec. 30, and put the family cat named Princess in the microwave. They were charged with unlawfully killing an animal, unlawfully causing pain or suffering to an animal and various break and enter offences. The protesters have been lobbying for Ottawa to pass effective legislation for crimes against animals. A neighbour who walked into the vandalized home has said she found the words, "Nice cat, look in the microwave" scrawled in felt pen on the kitchen window and on the glass of the kitchen cabinets. The protesters carried pictures of Princess when the cat was alive and signs that said "Killers often torture animals when they are young".

Source: The Canadian Press - Feb 7, 2008 Update posted on Feb 7, 2008 - 9:47PM

Eight animal-rights protesters stood in front of the Camrose courthouse today as the court prepared to hear from a teen accused of killing a cat named Princess in a microwave. Members of the Edmonton-based group Voice for Animals wore red paper ribbons with the words, "Remember Princess" on them. Police allege three 15-year-olds and a 13-year-old twice broke into a Camrose home, and stuck the family cat in the microwave during the second break-in. Members of Voice for Animals protest outside the Camrose courthouse Thursday.View Larger Image View Larger Image The teens face charges of unlawfully killing an animal; unlawfully causing pain or suffering to an animal; break, enter and theft; mischief; and possession of stolen property. One of the 15-year-olds was scheduled to appear to enter a plea and to speak to bail this morning. The teen has been in custody since he was arrested because of a prior arson conviction. His three co-accused are with their parents. Their first court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 7. The case has sparked outrage among animal lovers and activists worldwide. The four youths cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Protester Devon McDonald said she found their names posted on Nexopia, an Edmonton-based social-networking website. People have stopped posting the names for now, she said, "but I know people are eager to post it after the trial. People all around the world are outraged." Another protester, Valerie Roberton, brought the same sign she used in Didsbury last year when a 19-year-old was in court facing animal cruelty charges after a dog named Daisy Duke was beaten, bound and possibly dragged behind a truck. "They're horrific (crimes), aren't they? ... The bill is so old, and they need some kind of punishment," Robertson said, referring to the current animal cruelty laws.

Source: Endonton Journal - Jan 17, 2008 Update posted on Jan 17, 2008 - 4:15PM

The popular social network website, Facebook was used to post the names of the four teen boys charged in the brutal animal abuse case of nuking a live cat in a microwave. Shortly after the news broke about the four Alberta teens breaking into a house on December 30 then putting an adult cat alive in a microwave oven, hundreds started posting death threats and posting the boys names on-line. The incident happened in a small town named Camrose near Edmonton. The Facebook page has since been removed from the site because it violates the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which prohibits naming youths charged with or convicted of a crime. As the investigation continues, one of the boys charged was on probation for lighting his brother on fire last year. Story Continues Below... The boys face numerous charges involving animal abuse as well as break and enter. So far, the 13 year old boys claim it was the 15 year old who tossed the cat into the microwave and cooked the cat alive. The Mother of one of the 13 year old boys told Police, the one 15-year-old boy, who routinely carries a knife, instigated the break-in and it was his idea to kill the cat. Her son and one other teen left the house during the crime because they were upset, she said. The teens broke into the house on December 29th and then returned the next day to only to kill the family pet when they left. Readers of Facebook are posting remarks that the could should prosecute the teens as adults others posted lists of a number of serial killers, including Jeffrey Dahmer, and links them to animal torture. The cat was found the next day by a neighbour who was looking after the house while the family was away. The teens are expected to make a court appearance in early February.

Source: SooNews - Jan 7, 2007 Update posted on Jan 8, 2008 - 12:12AM

A physics professor quoted on a South African news web site said, "Like a human, a cat's body is about 80% water. This means the nervous system would boil before death occurred." Cats can suffer external burns and have tissue in the body explode because of the cooking process, the professor explained to news24.com. The cat from Alberta has yet to be autopsied to confirm the cause of death. Allegedly, the three 15-year-old boys and a 13-year-old boy were friends with one of the daughters living at the house and knew the family was away during Christmas holidays. They face charges of unlawfully killing an animal, unlawfully causing pain or suffering to an animal, break, enter and theft, mischief, and possession of stolen property. The family has since returned but declined to comment.

Source: National Post - Jan 7, 2007 Update posted on Jan 7, 2008 - 11:29PM

A group of teens are accused of breaking into a home in December and killing a cat by putting it into a microwave. The homeowners were away from the house at the time. A neighbour made the gruesome discovery after finding a note which read: "it's in the microwave." Students at the school say they were shocked when they heard about the incident. Postings on Facebook have identified the teens accused despite laws protecting their identity. Police have contacted the people who have posted the names but at least one has refused to take the posting down.

Source: CTV - Jan 7, 2008 Update posted on Jan 7, 2008 - 11:27PM

References

• The Candian Press - Jan 3, 2008
• - Jan 6, 2008

Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.