Originally Posted by guinnesshero

No correctional officer and no im not a liberal. just because im vegan doesnt make me a liberal. To be honest im more in the middle.

Originally Posted by Eclipse27

Maybe not locking up, but he certainly needs some form of time out.

Originally Posted by Tablaqueen

The kid needs help. Now, before he gets any worse. Obviously he is not being taught right from wrong or compassion for others in the home, so he needs proper care and help and presumably the parents need it as well. That's the only way. Locking him up won't help.

Originally Posted by guinnesshero

I thought the point was that your talking out of your a$$.

Originally Posted by Eclipse27

The point, from earlier, was that the kid is old enough to know that what he was doing was wrong. And I believe that when he said "retarded", he was encompassing psychological conditions.

Originally Posted by sarahjayn1980


If a child doesn't know its unkind to kill cats, he or she probably won't make the connection between certain liquids and their combustability.

Originally Posted by *AHIMSA*

Wow. Crippling ignorance, righteous indignation, sanctimony...this thread has it *all*!!!

Originally Posted by Eclipse27

The point remains.

Originally Posted by sarahjayn1980

Oh-kaay . . . how so?



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In any event, I'd like to point out that from my experience with mentally handicapped children in this age range, this behavior would not be a plausible expectation of their limited mental development. If a child doesn't know its unkind to kill cats, he or she probably won't make the connection between certain liquids and their combustability. That isn't to say that mentally handicapped can't and don't accidently kill animals - - I had a boy in art class once who killed a pet hamster by tossing it up in the air so it hit the ceiling. He was mimicing something his dad does with baby brother . . . only dad doesn't toss as hard or nearly as high. It's those subtle misunderstandings of mechanics that usually does the class pet in, frankly. But this . . . I think its too premeditated and complex for someone who is even EMH or DEMH in at about this age.

Originally Posted by Eclipse27

The point remains.

Originally Posted by sarahjayn1980

That's an ignorant statement. Children aren't immune to mental illness or psychological defect. That doesn't make them cruel or retarded.

Originally Posted by Dogma

At nine years old, the kid is either retarded and doesn't know any better, or he's a cruel kid. Chances are the latter and I'm not surprised.

Originally Posted by guinnesshero

I wouldnt jump to too many conclusions here. Who knows if this child lives an abused life and is acting out becasue of it.people on this board are ready to jump to the defense of adults who molest and such saying that the offenders were probably molested as children, but let a child commit an otrocity on an animal and everyone is ready to call him a sociopath or a psychopath neuter him and call him scum. He's NINE ever think maybe he didnt really understand what he was doing?

Originally Posted by sarahjayn1980

I think it might be unfair to say - without knowing him - that any amount of tax dollars could lead to a normal life for this child. However, compassionate care certainly won't hurt him and might help him become a more compassionate individual.

My cousin used to do this sort of thing (to a lesser degree . . . I think). He was adopted when he was 8. He was horribly abused by his birth parents. His younger sister (who was also adopted by my aunt) was 7 years old and 23 pounds. She was covered head-to-toe in cigarette burns. My male cousin was sexually abused by strangers that his parents charged to lend him out to. Most days they would park (they lived in their car) and he'd stand in front of a corner store or something all day long waiting for someone to pick him up. My aunt (who is a social worker) adopted them and my older male cousin (different birth parents), she knew she'd have a hard road ahead of her. She knew they'd never be "normal kids" - - they had too much baggage, you know? They spent prime bonding years living in hell. My aunt was wonderful to them. She showed them nothing but love. She set clear rules and enforced consequences when needed. She set a good example. She sought lots of professional help and medical assistance. My younger male cousin still threw rocks at animals hoping to kill them. He kicked dogs (one time in a fit he kicked the family dog so hard it broke the skin), he would get in knock-down drag-out fights with his sister - - once removing a chunk of hair so large it couldn't be covered with a head band. He grew up. He's not perfect. He can't hold a job for more than a few months, he makes bad decisions all the time, and he doesn't spend enough time with his kids. However, because someone (my aunt) helped him, I believe he's better than he would have been. His quality of life certainly is. He's not a killer, he's not even a criminal. And, as an added bonus, he doesn't randomly burst into tears because he feels so terrible about himself, he doesn't try to cut himself, he doesn't thing everyone is out to get him, he doesn't need to sleep with all the lights on, he doesn't respond to every conflict with violence. Which is how he used to be.

I'm not saying this kid is anything like my cousin. He may be from the best home ever, for all we know. However, a tormented soul is one that needs help - regardless of their age, or how they came to be that way. Compassion is the only way to save people.

Originally Posted by Eclipse27

Can it be taught? I don't really think it can. Some people simply aren't capable.

Originally Posted by guinnesshero

and you dont want it tought to him

Originally Posted by Eclipse27

Something this kid doesn't seem to know.

Originally Posted by Eclipse27

I'd definitely take the first option. Although I think you made a mistake in your post.