[Gpdd] [MISC] No charges will be filed

[Lori H.]

This is garbage.  This kid needs some time in Juvenile Hall.


Boy Who Cooked Animals At School Will Not Be Charged
Teen Cooked Guinea Pig, Rabbit During Class

UPDATED: 2:39 PM EST January 28, 2005

THOMPSON, Ohio -- Police and humane society officials decided not to file charges against a 16-year-old student who skinned and cooked a Guinea pig and a rabbit during a living skills class. 
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They said Thursday it would have been hard to prove the killings were unnecessary because students did eat some of the meat, and investigators didn't find evidence the animals suffered needlessly.  

Authorities said the student killed the rabbit with a bow-and-arrow and used a knife to kill the Guinea pig at home before cooking them in class at Ledgemont High School on Jan. 19. 

"From a standpoint of being able to prosecute, we could not find evidence to pursue a cruelty charge," said Sharon Harvey, executive director of the Geauga Humane Society. "Do we disapprove of what happened? Absolutely. But, sadly, what happened is not illegal." 

Beto Gage, principal of the school about 35 miles northeast of Cleveland, said living skills teacher Diana Stevens lets students prepare meals once a quarter. 

The student had asked Stevens if he could catch and cook a wild rabbit and she approved, provided he gut the carcass before class, Gage said. 

Students who didn't want to watch were allowed to leave the room. 

The boy, whose name hasn't been released, bought the animals at a pet store. He told school officials he bought the animals because he wasn't able to catch a wild rabbit during a hunt.