Teens deny torturing kitten by microwaving it

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Two teenage girls from Maine have denied felony animal cruelty charges alleging they put an 8-week-old kitten in a microwave and turned it on.

The South Portland girls, who were 15 when they were charged in September, told a judge Thursday that they understood the charges and entered the juvenile equivalent of an adult not guilty plea.

The Portland Press Herald reports that the judge ordered both to undergo a psychological evaluation and released them to the custody of their parents with conditions.

A video of the prank showed up on social media, provoking outrage.

The girls’ attorney said they had no intention of harming the cat, which was in the microwave for just a few seconds.

The kitten survived and has since been adopted.