Teenager Arrested After Killing Caged Animals [Video]

A teenager has been arrested for animal cruelty after a sickening video emerged online that showed him shooting two trapped animals in the face.

The 17-year-old was charged on Monday in connection with the hideous footage, which had appeared on Facebook just 24 hours earlier. He is currently being held in Brevard County Juvenile Detention Center in Melbourne, Florida, his home-town.

The video was uploaded to YouTube by the Causes website. A petition went on to receive over 13,000 signatures after they demanded that police investigate the cruelty to these animals and prosecute those responsible.

The video shows the individual approaching the trap, which has caught a raccoon whilst he holds a huge gun that looks like a rifle. As he walks around the trap, a female voice, presumably the same one that is recording the footage, can be heard shouting, “Don’t do it,” but then the teenager takes aim and shoots the animal in the face.

The animal doesn’t die instantly though, instead simply thrashes around in pain for around a minute before it finally succumbs to its injuries.

The teen then moves to the second animal that he has caught, an opossum. He decides to shoot the creature in the mouth, and, when it repeatedly squirms, he then fires at it again; however, it remains alive.

After Causes uploaded the video, people from all across the world started to demand action from officers, stating that they must “take action over the killing of caged animals.”

Sheriff Wayne Ivey said after the teen’s arrest, “Our agency received a number of telephone and social media tips from our citizens who were rightfully outraged over the actions posted on YouTube and Facebook.”

Ivey added, “Our Agents immediately addressed the issue, working with the State Attorney’s Office to ensure that those responsible for the cruel activities were charged. These actions are thoroughly disturbing and the Sheriff’s Office greatly appreciates all who called to report the incident.”

What do you think should happen to the 17-year-old responsible?