Kitten abuse charge upgraded to felony

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The charge against the 12-year-old boy who allegedly abused a kitten has been upgraded to felony animal cruelty after the results of the necropsy were returned.

According to Suffolk spokesperson Debbie George, some children were playing with the stray kitten on Brook Avenue on May 28, when the boy grabbed the kitten and threw it against a wall.

He then grabbed the kitten again and began hitting it with a stick. George said he also pulled out a knife and said he was going to cut the cat, when another child knocked the knife out of his hand.

Police responded and found the kitten laying in the grass.

The kitten died on June 3 after personnel at the animal shelter were notified that the kitten was experiencing difficulty breathing.

The 7-week-old male kitten was rushed to an emergency vet, but passed away shortly after arriving.