I think its another case of bad parenting. The parents should also be charged for this. Parents should be made to start taking responsibility for their kids. A couple years ago here in Nova Scotia 2 boys derailed a train by jamming the switch which makes it change tracks. No one was killed, but I think the parents should have also been charged for letting your under age child run wild.
I don't have an feelings for anyone who could harm an animal. I think its the worst thing that someone could do and they should pay the same price that an adult would pay for doing it.