Kitten set on fire, 9 animals rescued from home in Houston, police say

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A kitten was allegedly set on fire by two or more children in northeast Harris County early Thursday morning, leading to an investigation, according to Harris County Pct. 1 Constable’s office.

Precinct 3 deputies, Precinct 1 animal cruelty investigators and the Houston SPCA Animal Ambulance responded to the 12600 block of Drifting Winds Drive in Houston around 3 a.m. after a 911 call regarding a kitten on fire, according to the officers’ Facebook page.

Two people in a nearby house said they tried to put out the flames with water, then with clumps of grass when the water did not put out the flames, media partner ABC13 reports. Houston SPCA staff took the kitten to a local hospital.

“The kitten was brought to the Houston SPCA Animal Hospital for treatment, but due to the severity of its injuries, it was humanely euthanized,” the Houston SPCA wrote on Facebook.

The trooper’s animal cruelty investigators discovered the suspects were living in a home with other animals. The gendarmes from police station 1 obtained a search warrant for the seizure of animals present on the property Thursday afternoon. During the search, nine animals, including seven puppies, were found in the backyard of the home, according to the Houston SPCA.

“They were all in poor condition and were found locked in cages, without access to water or food,” Police Station 3 wrote on Facebook.

Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen told ABC13 his office identified two suspects, possibly between the ages of 10 and 15, but had not spoken to them Thursday. The investigation was ongoing.

The Houston SPCA provides medical care to seized animals.

“We urge our community to remain vigilant and report any signs of animal cruelty,” the Houston SPCA wrote.