December 7, 2007

ENGLAND – A North Yorkshire teen admitted to torturing a hamster to death this summer, by putting it in the freezer and through a washer and dryer.

The 15-year-old, whose name is being held for legal reasons, was one of six teens at the Harrogate home when the incident occurred. The owner's daughter was watching the home while her mother was away.

A few hours after she and her friends finished playing with the animals, the owner's daughter noticed that a hamster named Poppy was missing. The owner later found the animal in the trash.

She also found droppings in the freezer, washer and dryer.

An inspection of the deceased animal revealed torn claws and lesions on the feet – indicating it had probably tried to claw its way of of the freezer and cling to the dryer walls.

Poppy finally died of severe respiratory or cardiovascular damage.

The teen, having admitted to the crime, has been banned from keeping animals for four years and was ordered to pay just over $800 in fines.

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