This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

Two teens who violently abused a dog in North Carolina while laughing about it need to be held accountable for their actions, not treated like they didn’t commit a serious and violent crime. 

The abuse was brought to light in February when a student at Forbush High School went to a school resource officer to report seeing a video on social media. The sickening video showed a 15-year-old classmate laughing while he swung his dog by the ears, lifted him by his fur and slammed him on the ground — all while his 16-year-old accomplice recorded his depraved actions. 

The abuser was quickly identified, arrested within hours, and charged with felony animal cruelty in juvenile court. The accomplice was also identified and arrested, and charged with a misdemeanor for “instigating and promoting cruelty to animals.” 

The dog, a nine-month-old Blue Heeler, was seized by the Animal Control Division of the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office and taken to a veterinarian to be examined. Miraculously, the dog had recovered from any injury he may have sustained and was placed in a foster home. 

Sheriff Ricky Oliver expressed shock at the abhorrent behavior of these teens, and made it clear that his department has zero tolerance for the cruel treatment of animals, and that this crime would be dealt with.

Unfortunately, these abusers are being charged in juvenile court, and won’t face the toughest penalties possible for committing a felony. The state recently passed a law to avoid charging juveniles as adults if they haven’t committed violent crimes — where no one was harmed. Anyone can see that the physical assault of this dog was clearly violent in nature, and someone was hurt, so the law shouldn’t apply. 

These perpetrators should be held accountable and charged accordingly in Superior Court and given a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This sadistic act of cruelty must be treated seriously, and their parents must also be investigated, since the teens may be acting out abuse they have been exposed to at home. 

We are grateful to Sheriff Ricky Oliver for his willingness to intervene to hopefully ensure that these abusers face penalties that reflect the severity and violent nature of their crime.

What You Can Do 

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.