Kids who abuse animals tend to move on to humans....
But I'm not sure the kid intended or did abuse, it sounds like bad feral control technique.
I've got a view more attuned to country style living, where dealing with ferals is required.
Back in the day... living in the country... I've shot a few varmints and ferals myself. Back when it wasn't unlawful. Back when you got bounties for coy-dogs.
Clearing ferals and varmints is necessary work. Rat killings in corn cribs are still fresh memories around here.
Doing that work is required from field hands in country settings.
Equating it to abusing animals isn't quite fair.
And I'm not ready to put down a 12 year old, or even screw up his life.
/johnny