An 18-year-old will serve probation for the role he played in killing a cat at a rural Lincoln home last March.

But Lancaster County Juvenile Court Judge Reggie Ryder made it clear Friday he didn't buy Andrew Kratz's earlier description that it was a mercy killing after a friend shot the cat with an arrow.

Ryder said the fact the boys taped the incident with a cell phone, photographed the dead cat and showed it at school indicates they found it funny.

"That's what's causing a great deal of concern for me," Ryder said.

Sheriff's deputies said Jacob Weichel shot an adult male tabby with a bow and arrow March 13 at his family's home northeast of Lincoln. The arrow went through the cat but didn't kill it.

Kratz, of Eagle, picked the cat up by the tail and hit it against a picnic table twice, then picked up a log and dropped it on the animal.

Deputies learned about the incident six days later, after the boys showed a cell phone video of it at Waverly High School, where they now are seniors.

Kratz later pleaded no contest to animal cruelty.

In court Friday, Ryder said Kratz had only a speeding ticket on his record before this and those who knew him were shocked by what he'd done.

In giving Kratz probation, Ryder said, he was following the recommendation of a 48-page evaluation completed by the probation office.

Professionals cite many different reasons for animal cruelty, Ryder said, but Kratz's risk to cause future harm to animals appears to be moderately low.

The judge said the probation -- which includes individual and family therapy, requires community service and takes away Kratz's hunting license -- was extensive, "but that's what's necessary."

Earlier this month, Weichel got a similar probation.

Reach Lori Pilger at 473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com.