Man admits to squeezing HAMSTER to death with his bare hands in pet store 

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 01:53 EST, 28 February 2014 | Updated: 02:14 EST, 28 February 2014


A 21-year-old Louisiana man has pleaded guilty to aggravated cruelty to animals for squeezing a hamster to death at a mall pet store.

On Monday, State Judge Steve Grefer ordered Vincent Caracci, of Metairie, to serve two years' probation and perform 80 hours of community service.

Grefer also ordered the 21-year-old grocery store clerk must undergo psychological evaluation at his own expense, and he is barred from owning pets while on probation.

Vincent Caracci
The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to animal cruelty

Animal abuser: Vincent Caracci, 21, was sentenced to two years' probation and 80 hours of community service for squeezing to death a hamster

Crime scene: The incident happened last March at the now-defunct Lakeside Pets at Lakeside Shopping Center

Crime scene: The incident happened last March at the now-defunct Lakeside Pets at Lakeside Shopping Center

Vicious: According to an arrest report, Caracci grabbed a hamster similar to the one pictured and squeezed it in his hand until the tiny rodent stopped breathing

Vicious: According to an arrest report, Caracci grabbed a hamster similar to the one pictured and squeezed it in his hand until the tiny rodent stopped breathing

The incident took place March 27, 2013, when Caracci stopped by the now-closed Lakeside Pets store at Lakeside Shopping Center.

According to Caracci’s arrest report cited by NOLA.com, an employee at the pet shop spotted the would-be customer roughly touching the animals in their cages.

When the woman told Caracci to stop mishandling the critters, the 21-year-old picked up a hamster and ‘continued to squeeze the animal until it made a loud squeaking sound and [stopped] breathing.’

Caracci has been on probation for bath salts possession
Caracci has been put on probation

Dark past: At the time of his arrest last March, Caracci was on probation for synthetic marijuana possession

When the store clerk confronted Caracci and demanded to know what he was doing, the 21-year-old kept mum, but stared at her 'with a mean disposition.'

At the time he was arrested, Caracci was on probation for possessing synthetic marijuana. He was sentenced to six months in jail on the drug charge last month.

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