On Sunday, June 24, 5 boys, ranging in ages between 9 and 13 thought it would be amusing to pour gasoline on a dog and set it afire.

The Humane Society of the United States on Friday called for the district attorney in Nashville to prosecute five boys accused of setting a dog on fire and get them psychological help.

All five, ages 9 to 13, have already been charged with a felony count of aggravated animal cruelty and ordered to undergo psychological evaluations, prosecutors said.

“We agree with what they say and this was already in process before they sent the letter,” assistant District Attorney General Jon Seaborg said.

The boys are accused of pouring gasoline on the dog and throwing a match on it Sunday in the area of Heiman Street in north Nashville. A neighbor said he saw a ball of fire running down the street before the boys took off running.

The body of the burned dog was discovered lying in an alley off 11th Avenue North Friday afternoon. The animal may have died only recently, Metro Animal Services director Judy Ladebauche said.

“So it’s just tragic when you think about how the dog must have suffered, with the extent of the burns,” she said.

The animal, a medium-sized shepherd mix, was burned so badly officials couldn’t tell its gender. It was taken to a lab for a necropsy.

On Thursday, the Juvenile Court ordered three of the young suspects home on electronic monitoring until they have to return to court.

The other two were not allowed to go home. One was ordered held in juvenile detention and must undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The other was sent into state custody. (Tennessean.com)

The next hearing for this case is set for July 19th.

Animal Control’s Billy Biggs said, “They had none [remorse], they didn’t show any remorse… …whatsoever. One of the middle-aged kids was even laughing about it and that’s highly upsetting. Something is wrong with an individual who can do that and laugh about it.”

Needless to say, the comments on this story are harsh and unforgiving and in many cases, I have to agree with them. Children that perpetrate cruelties like this are the adults of tomorrow that populate our prisons for much for violent crimes.

These ‘children’ will most likely receive some ‘psychological evaluations’, maybe some probation then sent on their way with this ’slap on the wrist’ to look for their next victims. They’re not going to learn anything and you can bet that in years to come the judicial system with be hearing much more from each and every one of them if nothing is done!

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