Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 07/09/07

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

CHARGES FILED IN ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that two juvenile females were arrested on Friday and charged with felony violations of Penal Code section 597(a), killing, maiming or abusing an animal. This case involved the burning of a kitten in Santa Rosa. The charge applies to anyone who maliciously and intentionally mains, mutilates or tortures, or wounds a living animal and it carries a maximum penalty of three years confinement.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, "Animal cruelty will not be tolerated. Understandably, the public is distressed over the maltreatment of innocent animals. We are committed to prosecuting cases of animal cruelty so that offenders are held accountable and to prevent future suffering."

The District Attorney’s office reviewed the reports and warrants issued on Thursday. The minors were arrested on Friday, are detained in juvenile hall, and will have their first appearance in juvenile court on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. Under California state law, the names of the minors are confidential and cannot be disclosed. The law also requires these juvenile proceedings to be closed to the public. The hearings are confidential and what transpires during the hearings cannot be disclosed.