12-24-2003, 02:03 PM
Yup, these guys know how to have a good time.
Pair cited with cruelty after beating of hamster
Jason McKee , jmckee@pottsmerc.com 12/24/2003
-- Two men were cited with cruelty to animals after beating a hamster to death on North Charlotte Street, according to police.
Witnesses called police after watching the two men beat the animal with a stick and throw it into the street Friday night.
The witnesses watched the two men go into an apartment in the 500 block, police said. Police arrived at that apartment a short while later and questioned Santino Vassallo, 25, and Kerry Brant, 27.
Vassallo, who lives at the apartment, admitted the hamster was his. He told police he killed it because it bit him.
Brant, who lives on North Franklin Street, apparently acted as a backup in case the animal tried to bite Vassallo again.
Witnesses said the men put the hamster in a plastic ball and kicked it back and forth across the street.
They then took it out of the ball and started whacking it with a stick, police said.
The bloody carcass was photographed by police and disposed of.
Vassallo and Brant face criminal charges of cruelty to animals, a summary offense that carries a maximum $750 fine and a 90-day jail sentence
Pair cited with cruelty after beating of hamster
Jason McKee , jmckee@pottsmerc.com 12/24/2003
-- Two men were cited with cruelty to animals after beating a hamster to death on North Charlotte Street, according to police.
Witnesses called police after watching the two men beat the animal with a stick and throw it into the street Friday night.
The witnesses watched the two men go into an apartment in the 500 block, police said. Police arrived at that apartment a short while later and questioned Santino Vassallo, 25, and Kerry Brant, 27.
Vassallo, who lives at the apartment, admitted the hamster was his. He told police he killed it because it bit him.
Brant, who lives on North Franklin Street, apparently acted as a backup in case the animal tried to bite Vassallo again.
Witnesses said the men put the hamster in a plastic ball and kicked it back and forth across the street.
They then took it out of the ball and started whacking it with a stick, police said.
The bloody carcass was photographed by police and disposed of.
Vassallo and Brant face criminal charges of cruelty to animals, a summary offense that carries a maximum $750 fine and a 90-day jail sentence