Press Release
STEPHAN R. PASSALACQUA

                SONOMA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY              
              
            

              

600 ADMINISTRATION DRIVE, RM 212-J  SANTA ROSA, CA
                95403 (707) 565-2311
            
          

          
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.