Teen in U.S. charged in death of family hamster

Reuters ^ | March 10, 2011 | Unknown

[decimon]

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) – A U.S. teenager has been charged with a felony, and could face a two-year prison sentence if convicted, for killing her family's pet hamster, authorities said.

Monique Smith, 19, of Brooklyn was arguing with a family member in June when she reached for the hamster, choked it and threw it outside the house, police said on Wednesday.

She was arrested following an investigation after Smith's father contacted the America Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, according to the society's assistant director Joe Pentangelo.

Smith is charged with one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals.

[mamelukesabre]

Time to lock up and go home for me. You got the loony bin all to yourself now.

[chickadee]

She’s a 19 year old adult.

[chickadee]

** I would not want my daughter to spend a week there if she was caught slowly slicing up our dog. **

---

Really?

[chickadee]

Loon



Chickadee

[Rebelbase]

“I drowned a mouse once.”

Using the 5 gallon bucket and coke can method I’ve drowned entire families of them. I guess that qualifies me a serial killer.

[RobRoy]

>>I suspect that many on this thread are making a joke of this young woman’s odious behavior because the pet is in the rodent family. <<

Not me. For me it is that the pet was not a human being. And the pet really is not the point. People seem to fall into two groups:

1. Those that see humans as special (in the image of God) and unique compared to the rest of creation.
2. Those that value all life to varying degrees.

The problem is, that those in the second camp see those in the first camp through their own lens and assume that if someone in the first camp can kill or harm an animal, they are just performing a “gateway” act to doing the same to a human. But those in the first camp see nothing in common between doing harm to an animal and doing harm to a human.

To be honest, someone from the second group that tortures animals really would be dangerous, in a Hanibal sort of way.

[Emperor Palpatine]

Is that all you can do? Engage in name-calling?

[RobRoy]

>>Really?<<

Really.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

First they put you in jail for the hamsters.

Then they put you in jail for the cockroaches.

Then they put you in jail for the amoebas...

[RobRoy]

I think he’s just having fun with you. ;)

[GingisK]

Where is there a child in this story?

I see what you mean. Still, applying the law rather than some counseling is ridiculous.

[chickadee]

It’s not that I value all life - show me a centipede and it is history.

I am not a vegetarian and even I know that meat doesn’t come originally on styrofoam. I am not opposed to hunting.

It wasn’t killing a wild rat or a mouse. It was a family pet. It was an intentionally cruel act, without regard for the life of the animal, designed to hurt another family member.

I am really surprised that so many people on FR are willing to fluff this off. This young woman has some serious issues.

[microgood]

I agree with you. If I saw a child of mine, especially one who was 19 years old, do such a cold-blooded cruel thing I would have reported her, too.

Thee is something wrong with that young woman.

Thinking like this is what is wrong with America. You expect government to solve all your problems for you. You could never make it anywhere outside the shield of nanny government or solve any problems within your family, like previous generations did. The father that turned the girl in has a maturity level of a 5 year old or less.

[chickadee]

You didn’t put much thought into this.

Do you suppose the hamster belonged to the mother or father? I seriously doubt it. She was most likely arguing with a younger sibling.

I think the father showed immense courage in his response to this young woman’s horrible behavior. He was probably thinking what would be best for both of his children.

And, I would rather that the government not be involved, but the fact that the girl is an adult and the fact that the act was so abhorrent warrants her facing the consequences of her behavior. And, maybe like many here, he thought that the penalty would be small. He thought wrong.

I’m guessing that many of the people on this thread making smart comments thought that Michael Vick got what he deserved and I don’t think Vick actually did any direct killing of animals himself.

[RobRoy]

>>It was an intentionally cruel act, without regard for the life of the animal, designed to hurt another family member.<<

I in no way condone this sort of action, but it happens a lot more than we think. People get angry and some, more than others act out. And if one sees animals as, well, just animals, they may do something like this. A person who does this sort of thing AND highly respects animals would be a threat to society.

[chickadee]

Here's what I would consider a more complete and reliable version of this story. Too bad it wasn't posted, as this thread would be so much different:

Teen Kills Brother's Hamster After Hers Dies: Authorities

[rfp1234]

I’d draw the line at mammals. Ants and some other insects are much like modern Democrats; for example, the individual isn’t worth a $h!t as long as the collective colony survives, and furthers the Queen’s goals of power and domination.

[chickadee]

Please, read the version of this story that I posted. I’m done with this thread. sheesh

[Hot Tabasco]

Should I turn myself in?

Not necessary, your confession is already in print and we've reported you to the authorities........

[microgood]

I think the father showed immense courage in his response to this young woman’s horrible behavior. He was probably thinking what would be best for both of his children.

No he didn't. That is his daughter. He should have handled it himself, not run crying to the government. His action was pure cowardice in the face of his own responsiblities. Not only that, but this will cost the taxpayer $100K or so. It should come right out of his own pocket.

That is how it has been in this country since the 70s. Everyone wants the government to raise their children for them.

And she is not an adult. Americans no longer become adults until after 40 or so, if ever. They should change the age for running for President from 35 to 70.