Four Alberta teens have been charged with animal cruelty after a cat was found dead in a microwave.
A 13-year-old and three 15-year-olds are also facing a number of other charges after a break-in occurred over the weekend at a home in the central Alberta community of Camrose, about 90 kilometres from Edmonton.
Police say the incident happened while the homeowners were out of town. A friend who checked on the home made the grisly discovery, finding the cat inside the microwave.
Police say the microwave had been turned on.
"Obviously, it's very disturbing. We're used to dealing with property crime but when you go and do something like this it's upsetting," said Camrose Police Service Insp. Lee Foreman.
The incident has left the community in shock.
"I get a little disturbed when I hear of things like that going on," one resident told Â鶹´«Ã½ Edmonton. "That's just senseless and stupid," he said, petting his dog.
Other residents said they're also concerned that young people have been charged.
Several thousand dollars of electronics were also taken during the robbery. Police say they have recovered most of the stolen property. The teens will appear in court in February. They cannot be identified because of legal restrictions.
With a report by CTV Edmonton's Scott Roberts
