FRANKLIN—Two 14-year-old boys have been charged with disemboweling a kitten on Saturday at Southampton Meadows Mobile Home Park, said Southampton County Sheriff’s Major Gene Drewery.

A witness told authorities the youth, who were not identified because they are minors, allegedly used a knife to gut the kitten, Drewery said. The pair was charged with animal cruelty.

The kitten died as authorities were making arrangements to have it treated, he said.

The kitten belonged to the Hoggard family on Williams Street, authorities said. No one could be reached Tuesday.

“I think that was kind of sad,” said Janet Blow, who lives next door to the Hoggards and almost daily sees the remaining 6- to 8-week-old kittens playing outside. “To cut a kitten like that was mean and hateful.”

Blow understands the suspects live in the trailer park off Route 258 south of Franklin.

Police gave no motive and neighbors are mystified by the killing.

“It’s gotta be someone who’s crazy,” said Mon Ennis, 18, who also lives on Williams Street. “I heard a little boy cut the guts out. It’s disgusting.”

Donsha Jones, who lives across the street from the Hoggards, hadn’t heard about the kitten, but was disgusted.

“I like animals,” the 23-year-old said. “I have no idea what would motivate someone to be so cruel.”