Odesa police have identified the teenagers involved in an incident with a cat. The authorities became aware of the event on January 29, 2026, after discovering a video online depicting animal abuse.
Within hours, juvenile officers tracked down the young man present in the video and his friend who recorded it on his phone.
The incident occurred in early 2025 at the home of a 16-year-old boy. According to him, he filmed his 17-year-old friend pretending to assault his cat for entertainment purposes, with no intention of causing any sexual harm to the animal.
The parents of the younger teenager noted that their cat had a heart condition, was receiving treatment at a veterinary clinic, and sadly passed away from old age nearly a year later. After the cat's death, a cremation was performed. The family has retained veterinary records, which will be reviewed by the authorities.
Police continue to investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident, interviewing those involved and their families.
The legal qualification of the situation is currently being determined.