A Virginia teen was convicted Wednesday in a case involving several barnyard animals that were slashed in April and May, the Washington Post reports.
The 17-year-old was convicted of three felony counts of animal maiming and a misdemeanor trespassing charge in Fairfax County’s juvenile court, according to the Post.
He had been charged in June with four felony counts of maiming animals, three misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and two counts of unlawful entry.
"Everyone wonders what’s the motivation, why did this happen? That's something we can’t discuss right now," Lucy Caldwell of Fairfax County Police said in June. "We can say we recovered a weapon we believe was used -- a 22-inch machete."
The animals -- three horses, two goats, a calf and a chicken -- live at Frying Pan Park in Herndon, a popular destination for children and families.
The calf and one of the goats were less than a year old at the time of the attack, and were still being bottle-fed. Both animals had no fear of humans and would have approached anyone who entered the barn.
One horse was slashed again in a third attack that happened after the teen suspect was in custody. Anyone with information on that attack should contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
None of the animals' injuries were life-threatening.
The teen, who has not been publically named, will be sentenced later this year, the Post reports.
