Peoria Standard

Peoria, IL - A 16-year-old male has been charged with Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and Depiction of Animal Cruelty for the disturbing act of throwing a cat out of a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office brought forth these serious charges against the teenager, highlighting the severity of the offense.

In a shocking turn of events, it was revealed that the young perpetrator not only committed this heinous act but also filmed the incident. The video was then shared on Snapchat with three individuals, compounding the cruelty of the act.

Despite the gravity of the charges, the court made the decision to release the defendant from custody, a move that was met with objection from the prosecutor involved in the case. It was noted that due to the defendant's lack of criminal history, the case will not be transferred to adult court and will instead remain in juvenile court.

The investigation into this distressing incident is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the case. If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office at 309-697-8515.

This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of taking animal cruelty seriously and holding individuals accountable for their actions.