PORTLAND, Maine – Two teenage girls from Maine have denied felony animal cruelty charges alleging they put an 8-week-old kitten in a microwave and turned it on.
The South Portland girls, who were 15 when they were charged in September, told a judge Thursday that they understood the charges and entered the juvenile equivalent of an adult not guilty plea.
The Portland Press Herald reports that the judge ordered both to undergo a psychological evaluation and released them to the custody of their parents with conditions.
A video of the prank showed up on social media, provoking outrage.
The girls' attorney said they had had no intention of harming the cat, which was in the microwave for just a few seconds.
The kitten survived and has since been adopted.
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