A 12-year-old boy is charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty after allegedly throwing a stray kitten against a wall and beating it with a stick.

Animal Control officers responded to the 900 block of Brook Avenue on Saturday just before 5 p.m., city spokeswoman Debbie George said.

Investigators found that some children had been playing with the 7-week-old kitten when the 12-year-old boy came up, grabbed the kitten and threw it against a wall.

He then began to beat the kitten with a stick before pulling out a pocketknife and saying he would cut it, George said.

That’s when another child knocked the pocketknife out of the boy’s hand. Thinking it was dead, the other children then put the kitten in a box, George said.

When Animal Control arrived, the kitten was unresponsive, she said. However, when the Animal Control officer picked it up, the kitten opened its eyes and meowed.

It was treated at a veterinarian for a broken leg and bruises to its lung and abdomen area.

It will be available for adoption from the animal shelter on Friday, George said. However, because of its injuries, it will need a new owner who is able to give it plenty of attention and love.

The shelter is located at 124 Forest Glen Drive. Call 514-7855 for more information about adopting animals.