By Patrick Tepoorten

Three young North Branch boys stand accused of beating a 3-month-old puppy to death on June 12, according to County Attorney Katherine Johnson, who described the injuries to the dog as including broken legs and severe head injuries. The puppy was put down later on the day of the incident.

Lt. Steve Forner of the North Branch Police Dept. (NBPD) confirmed the ages of the boys as six, six, and eight years of age. He confirmed last Thursday that one of the boys admitted to the incident, while another of the boys claims to have been there but not involved. The third boy denies any involvement.

Johnson said last Wednesday afternoon that none of the three boys will be charged with a crime, because prosecuting juveniles of their age is not allowed under Minnesota law.

She added that the report of the incident filed by the NBPD contains no reason given by the boys for their actions. ìThere is nothing to indicate why,î she said.

Johnsonís office has referred the record of the incident to Child Protection for what she characterized as standard inquiries. ìTheyíll see if the children need any of their services,î she stated.

The incident was investigated by officer Wayne Schwalbe, who interviewed all three boys at separate times and on multiple occasions.

The boy who finally did admit to beating the puppy did so after Schwalbe spoke to him privately. At that time, the boy admitted he struck the dog three times with a stick. He also said the other two boys struck the puppy three times apiece with a stick as well.

Nowhere in the police report is there mention of a rock being used or other abuses by the boys.

One of the boys mother has taken issue with her sonís role in the incident publicly in an e-mail to various media outlets. In her statement she claims one of the other boys knew of a dog with a broken leg at 11:30 that morning, two hours before the abuse allegedly took place. She also claims that her son was with her after 12:45 and did not leave the house during the time-frame of the incident.