In a disgusting display of violence and perversity, a teenage boy and his brother, acting as camera man, posted a series of videos on YouTube on Sunday, February 15th, 2009. The videos show the teen repeatedly slamming a cat named Dusty against a shower wall, and pummeling the cat, over and over, with his fists. When YouTube acted swiftly in response to complaints and blocked the account, the teen created other accounts and posted more video. Officers from the county sheriff's office found additional video at the teen's home, and subsequently confiscated another abused cat.
Thanks to the quick actions of Internet savvy users, and bloggers, the teen was tracked to Lawton, OK, and the Comanche County Sheriff's department has removed Dusty the cat, and taken the animal to a vet. The teen is currently not charged, apparently, and there is some question about whether or not charges will be filed, given the social status of his family. You can read local TV coverage here, and here. The story was picked up internationally as well, and was covered by papers in England and elsewhere.
As revolting as the teen's actions are, the quick response by people all over the world, and the concern displayed for the cats, is reassuring regarding basic human decency. There's a Web site updating the case here. It's difficult to see how any who is not mentally ill could behave in such a horrific fashion, and I can't help but wonder where the boy's parents were while this was going on. I am not linking directly to the videos, because they are truly horrific.