What these kids did was disgusting, but the pusishment is too steep. I hope that (as is often the case) there is an early release provision that has already been considered by the judge and counsel.
Our laws are meant to protect (primarily) people, not animals. The psychological problems these kids already have are going to be worsened by sending them to prison (and not a state hospital or counseling), and then other people are likely to be their victims down the road.
And by the way, how humanely do you think your cow or pig that you ate for dinner last night was treated before it was killed? Rolling Stone had a great article about industrial hog farms not too long ago
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12840743/porks_dirty_secret_the_nations_top_hog_producer_is_also_one_of_americas_worst_polluters
Check it out as one example of how MILLIONS of animals are treated very day.
