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CAMROSE, Alta. - Finding out whether two boys who pleaded guilty to microwaving a cat have underlying psychological problems is more pressing than the need to sentence them before the school year begins, a central Alberta judge ruled Thursday.

"I am concerned, and I have reasonable grounds," said Judge Joanne Goss, calling the crime shocking.

"The circumstances of this offence cry out for a deeper look."

The boys, who are 15 and 16, pleaded guilty last month to breaking into a home twice last December and microwaving a cat to death. According to an agreed statement of facts, the animal screamed in pain over the 10 minutes it took to die.

"Despite that time frame, the cat was not taken out of the microwave," Crown lawyer John Laluk told Goss, adding that, at the very worst, this "shows a conscious desire to cause an animal to suffer."

Defence lawyers for both boys argued that the sentencing should have gone ahead, saying there are concerns a fall court date could interfere with the start of a new school year.

They say their young clients want to get on with their lives and can't do that until they're sentenced.

"He lives in this community, his family lives in this community, and he wants this matter dealt with," lawyer Bill Andreassen, who represents the 16-year-old, told the judge.

Goss rejected this argument, saying complete information is needed to ensure the teens are properly rehabilitated and reintegrated. She ordered the assessments to be completed by a new sentencing date of Sept. 4.

Outside court, Laluk said the assessment could impact the sentences handed down to the teens, and could even recommend time in custody.

"In all likelihood, that will not be the case," he said. "But it can change the terms, conditions, limit their movement, perhaps, limit their involvement with animals."

He said the assessment might also help the court understand why the boys didn't try to help the cat.

"It may be as simple as youthful peer pressure, but it could be an underlying disturbance that needs to be looked at."

A handful of animal rights protesters who have followed the boys' case through the legal system were outside the courthouse. They're demanding harsher animal cruelty laws, and held up signs with slogans saying "Jail time to fit the crime."

Two other teens are scheduled to go to trial on similar robbery and animal cruelty charges in November.