Cat Put in Microwave, Thrown Out Window: SPCA

Teens decide to "get rid" of cat in a disturbing fashion

A cat was put in a microwave oven and thrown out of a third-story window by two teens who videotaped the whole thing Wednesday afternoon, according to the Pennsylvania SPCA.

The alleged cruel act appears to be the action of 15- and 16-year-old boys on the 4500 block of G Street in the Juniata section of Philadelphia, the SPCA said.

"It's bizarre I don't know what these kids are thinking," said Pennsylvania SPCA Director George Bengal.

The male cat, named Tostino by SPCA staff, luckily survived the fall but he was in pretty bad shape and required treatment for cuts, bruises and a concussion, officials said.

Tostino was doing better and moving about at an SPCA shelter Thursday morning, the SPCA said.

It appears that the two- to six-month-old kitty, which was a stray that the boys found a few days ago, wasn’t cooked in the microwave before being tossed out the window.

One of the boys "didn't want it anymore and decided to get rid of it," Bengal said.

They videotaped the entire episode on a cellphone, officials said.

"The video shows everything from start to finish," Bengal said. "Them placing animal in the microwave and wrapping the cord up around it, and then opening the window, and then tossing it out and they actually got video of the microwave hitting the ground."

A neighbor saw the microwave fly out the back alley window and called authorities.When officials went to the home the boys jumped out the same window that they allegedly threw the cat out of and ran away. SPCA officers caught the kids.

Ben Ly, the father of the boy who lived in the home, was angry about what his son allegedly did and said his son was recently getting in trouble with the other boy.

The boys were arrested. They are both charged with one charge misdemeanor animal cruelty and could face no less than $1,000 in fines and possibly serve up to two years in jail or probation, according to the SPCA.

The SPCA also took an unharmed chihuahua from the home.

There was no timetable as of Thursday afternoon for Tostino finding a permanent home. He won't be up for adoption until he is fully healed and well enough to leave the shelter.

Tostino might not be up for adoption but that doesn't mean you can't help. For information about adopting other animals, donating or volunteering at the PSPCA call 215.426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.


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