Vantressa Brown: Trouble over Senior Prank
The seniors may be charged with theft and animal cruelty. No one in Mason is laughing about a senior high school prank that's turned into a criminal investigation.
No one in Mason is laughing about a senior high school prank that's turned into a criminal investigation.
At least 10 Mason High School seniors let some wild animals into the school Tuesday morning, but it's where the animals came from and what happened to some of them that has the sheriff's office involved.
We're not talking "lions, tigers and bears," however peacocks, bunnies and chickens were turned loose in the school.
The animals were stolen and some of them were killed.
That's why a group of seniors here are in hot water.
Mason seniors graduate Saturday, but several seniors are being punished, they won't be welcome to walk with their classmates,
Tim Branham isn't laughing. Some of the animals belonged to him and his daughter.
He's disappointed in the kids more than anything else.
"I, I just would like us to be able to control the alcohol and drugs used in children, you know, and teens and give them another alternative and things like this wouldn't happen," Branham said.
One student admits to helping steal two peacocks from Branham's property.
One is missing, the other was found, tied up with broken legs and is in such poor shape Branham had to put it down Wednesday night.
Some rabbits were also killed in the pulling off the prank.
"It's not right, it's unacceptable behavior," said Sheriff Tom Ariss.
That's why the Warren County sheriff is involved.
The seniors may be charged with theft and animal cruelty.
"It's someone's personal property, and when I go into your property and take your animals, again, it's invading your privacy and your domain. Some things are fun, but you're stealing somebody's enjoyment," said Ariss.
Branham says he's out more than enjoyment.
He says the stolen animals and cages add up to at least $1,500.
"Well, we're out some money, uh it was devastating on some animals, but more than that it's going to be real devastating on some teens for a long period of time," Branham said.
The sheriff says after interviewing all the students involved and the animal owner, then criminal charges will likely follow.
At least 10 Mason High School seniors let some wild animals into the school Tuesday morning, but it's where the animals came from and what happened to some of them that has the sheriff's office involved.
We're not talking "lions, tigers and bears," however peacocks, bunnies and chickens were turned loose in the school.
The animals were stolen and some of them were killed.
That's why a group of seniors here are in hot water.
Mason seniors graduate Saturday, but several seniors are being punished, they won't be welcome to walk with their classmates,
Tim Branham isn't laughing. Some of the animals belonged to him and his daughter.
He's disappointed in the kids more than anything else.
"I, I just would like us to be able to control the alcohol and drugs used in children, you know, and teens and give them another alternative and things like this wouldn't happen," Branham said.
One student admits to helping steal two peacocks from Branham's property.
One is missing, the other was found, tied up with broken legs and is in such poor shape Branham had to put it down Wednesday night.
Some rabbits were also killed in the pulling off the prank.
"It's not right, it's unacceptable behavior," said Sheriff Tom Ariss.
That's why the Warren County sheriff is involved.
The seniors may be charged with theft and animal cruelty.
"It's someone's personal property, and when I go into your property and take your animals, again, it's invading your privacy and your domain. Some things are fun, but you're stealing somebody's enjoyment," said Ariss.
Branham says he's out more than enjoyment.
He says the stolen animals and cages add up to at least $1,500.
"Well, we're out some money, uh it was devastating on some animals, but more than that it's going to be real devastating on some teens for a long period of time," Branham said.
The sheriff says after interviewing all the students involved and the animal owner, then criminal charges will likely follow.
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