Child saves abused kitten from even worse fate at hands of 12-year-old, say Va. cops

(CBS/WTKR) A 12-year-old boy who abused a 7-week old kitten is charged with animal cruelty, while the animal that suffered serious injuries is being nursed back to health, say authorities in eastern Virginia.

Suffolk Animal Control received the abuse report Saturday, says CBS affiliate WTKR. Police say some children were playing with the kitten when the 12-year-old grabbed it kitten and threw it against a wall. He then began hitting the kitten with a stick; then pulled out a knife and said he was going to cut the kitten. Police say another child approached him and smacked the knife out of his hand, reports WTKR.

The children who were playing with the kitten picked it up and put in a box, thinking it was dead. The kitten was found in the grass unresponsive when an Animal Control officer picked it up, saying it opened its eyes and 'meowed.'

The kitten was taken to the vet and was treated for a broken leg and bruises to the lungs and abdomen.

The 12-year-old was charged with one count of misdemeanor cruelty.