So how old is this kid in your story now? And is he in jail yet? Torturing a puppy nearly always leads the perpetrator to commit more serious, violent crimes against people. The father, if he did know you were telling the truth, did his son no favors by closing his eyes to his son's animal abuse. But since the old man was willing to beat the puppy too, I'd say, like father, like son. Tragic.
@Applewood The kid was an only child,and the father was kittywhipped. As far as he and his wife were concerned,the kid was the most perfect little boy that has ever been born.
My cousin is dead now. Died maybe 10 years ago,and the "kid" is most likely in his early 30's by now. I don't know where he lives now,but he had to "come home" to scatter his father's ashes. Nobody seemed to know much about him,or was willing to talk about where he lives or what he does for a living. There are probably reasons for that.
I suspect he is still torturing animals when he gets the chance. His eyes were lit up like he was having an orgasm when I spotted what he was doing to his own puppy. If a boy 10-12 years old will do that to his own puppy,what would he do to yours if no one was watching?
I will not be surprised if I ever hear he has been arrested.