Texas Teenagers Stole Pet Emu, Tortured It To Death On Valentines Day

Eight teenagers from Comanche County, Texas, have been either arrested or cited by the police after it was found that they were behind the torture and killing of a pet emu. According to Action 4 News, Cassius Mankin, an 18-year-old high school football player, has been named the primary suspect and has been charged with animal cruelty, criminal misdemeanor, and theft. The other seven teenagers, who are suspected to be in the group that committed the crime against the pet emu, have not been named yet.

According to a USA Today report, the incident that led to the arrest of the eight teenagers dates back to February 14, 2015. On Valentine’s Day, Carol and Bob Falk slept their one-year-old pet emu, “Miss Molly,” in her secure pen and retired for the night. That very night, the pet emu was allegedly stolen from the pen by the teenagers and later tortured and beaten to death. Bob Falk is not sure what happened to Molly after she was stolen. However, the stories he heard has shocked him. The teenagers reportedly punched out the eyes of the hapless pet emu, after which it was choked and killed.

“It was tortured by having its eyes punched out, and as far as I can determine, the animal was choked and killed.”

“We feel like we’ve lost a special part of our family,” Carol Falk told USA Today.

Meanwhile, in a press release, the Comanche County Sheriff’s office has said that it “anticipates charges to be forthcoming, up to and including: Animal cruelty, theft, illegal dumping, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.”

It is unknown, however, if all the youngsters involved in the case would be charged and tried for their crime. Cassius Mankin has, in the meantime, managed to secure bail after paying a $20,000 bond.

Cassius Mankin has been, after his arrest, suspended from all extracurricular activities by the superintendent of Comanche Independent School District. In fact, the high school football player might face even more severe disciplinary charges if it is proven that Cassius was, indeed, behind the cruel torture and subsequent killing of the pet emu.

For the family of Miss Molly, though, nothing will bring back their dear pet emu. The family remains distraught at the cruel manner in which their dear emu was killed. Authorities are still unsure as to what prompted the teenagers to torture and kill the pet emu.

[Image via USA Today]