LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Two 16-year-old Las Vegas boys were sentenced to 30 days in jail, ordered to pay a $200 fine and placed on 12 months of probation Tuesday in connection with the killing of two kittens.
The boys, who haven't been identified because of their ages, pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty, admitting they held the animals under water in a small cup outside a home near Cheyenne Avenue and Cimarron Road.
"It's not okay for even teens at this age to be doing the things they are doing," said protestor Matthew Trapp. "It's still murder and it's wrong."
"This has been one of the worst cases of animal abuse; purposely, intentionally and maliciously killing and drowning kittens. They were newborn kittens," said Stacia Newman, another protestor.
A witness took a photograph of the incident and later claimed she was threatened by the teens.
The boys were arrested last month and have already served 20 days in jail. They will be released in 10 days.
The judge presiding over Tuesday's hearing also ordered the boys to perform 200 hours of community service, including stints with Clark County Animal Control.
"One of the things that I thought about prior to today is how I could fashion some form of community service that would actually bring to play some education and empathy," said Judge William Voy.
They must also undergo counseling and are not allowed to leave their homes except to attend community service or school.
The judge also ordered the boys not to contact each other and to have no access to cell phones or social media during their probation.
Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
A photograph implicates two teens in the deaths of two kittens.
