Vigil held in Riverdale for animals allegedly killed by teen

Scores of residents gathered in an east-end park on Saturday for a vigil in response to the alleged killing of a cat and a raccoon by a Toronto teen.

The candlelight vigil, organized by a newly formed group, Not On Our Watch, drew community members to the south end of Withrow Park, near Danforthand Logan avenues.

Organizer Julie McDonaldsaid the vigil was heldto raise awareness with the intention of increasing safety in Toronto's Riverdale neighbourhood.

"The community experienced something very upsetting and it was important for me to get involved in a fruitful and compassionate way," McDonald said.

"Tonight, what I've taken away is that emotions are charged. There's a lot of people upset and I get it," she said.

On Friday, Toronto police said in a news release that they have arrested and charged a 16-year-old boy in an animal cruelty investigation after he allegedly killed a cat and several wild animals.

Police said the killings took place in Riverdale between Aug. 1 and Aug. 26. The cat belonged to a community member.

The teen was arrested and charged on Thursday with failure to comply with conditions, two counts of unnecessary pain and suffering or injury to an animaland killing or injuring other animals. He was scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

McDonald said she understands that the situation is also difficult for the parents of the accused.

"I feel for the parents," she said. "We have to remember to show compassion."

'Whole neighbourhood's traumatized,' resident says

Mimi Shulman, a resident who attended the vigil, said she was shocked by the killings and she was familiar with the cat.

"The whole neighbourhood's traumatized. It's all people are talking about," she said.

"She used to wear a little collar, a clown collar.It was really cute. And we'd see her everyday, walking around."

Shulman said she isnow worried about her own dog and keeps a close eye on herwhen her pet is in the park's off-leash area.

Pia Sarker, an animal care worker and founder of New Cat City, an animal rescue group, said the neighbourhood is brainstorming to make the areasafer andshe is urgingpeople to keep their cats indoors. She added she feels sadness for the family of the teen who has been charged.

"My hope is that there are resources provided by the system for this person to get some real help," Sarker said.

The family of the accused is asking for respect and privacy, according to apost on "Our Riverdale" Facebook group. The post, from a community member on behalf of the family,includes a letter from the family to the community. CBC Toronto has not verified the letter.

"As the parents of the child who has been accused of harming animals in our community, we feel it's important for you to know that no one is taking this lightly and regardless of the extent to which our child is or isn't involved, we are taking this seriously and are engaging the maximum available support," the letter reads.

"This is for the safety of all of us, including our child. A child, who is also a vulnerable member of this community something that some of you conveniently minimize," the letter continues.

"At this time, we ask for respect and privacy so that everyone can heal and the police and support agencies can do their jobs, as they are the only people properly equipped to conduct this investigation and help our child, our family, and our community.We respectfully ask that you please refrain from engaging in further speculation about this situation, stop sharing information about our child's identity and our family's address, and cease threatening our family."

Policebelieve there were witnesses to the injuring and killing of the animalsand are urging members of the public to come forward if they witnessed any incidents or captured them on video. Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.