KPTV - FOX 123 Battle Ground Teens Arrested In Cat Shootings 6-06-2011

Police say they arrested three teenagers on weapon and animal cruelty charges in connection with dozens of cat shootings.
Officers say they were investigating a report that a cat had been shot in the 700 block of Northeast Third Avenue on Sunday evening. Officers saw a blue Ford Explorer attempting to leave the area that matched a suspect vehicle description.
As an officer approached the vehicle, he observed several .22 caliber shell casings. The three male occupants of the vehicle, two aged 16 and one aged 17, were taken into custody and booked into juvenile detention.
"It’s not anger, it's outrage. Do these kids even realize what they’re doing? They’re shooting at people’s homes with people inside,” says Tina, who asked only to be identified by her first name.
Tina says she and her daughter were inside when they heard a gunshot. She says her daughter later found their cat with a gunshot wound to its face.
”She came running with blood gushing out of her mouth and nose really bad, and I saw right away that she had a hole in the middle of her nose,” says Tina's daughter, who also asked not to be identified.
They rushed the cat to a veterinarian and it survived its injuries.
The mother and daughter say this is the second time in recent weeks that one of their cats have been shot.
In May, Tina says, a different cat was targeted outside their home.
She says it was shot in the neck and also survived.
"It’s a miracle they're both still alive,” Tina says.
As for the Sunday night shooting, criminal charges of drive-by shooting, unlawful discharge of firearm, animal cruelty and possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle are being filed against the teens.
Officers say two .22 caliber rifles were recovered from the vehicle, along with several hundred rounds of ammunition. One of the rifles was loaded, police say.
This investigation will close five cases from the last few months of cats being reported shot within Battle Ground city limits and several others just outside city limits.
The teens admitted to shooting at least 50 cats, police say.
Further investigations are ongoing with Clark County Sheriff's Office.