Two 18-year-olds spent 21 minutes using rocks and a brick to kill two turtles at a Kennesaw lake, and now face felony animal cruelty charges in Cobb County.

Micah Mack of Acworth and DeShawn Anthony Beatty of Grayson are accused of dragging two red-eared slider turtles from the water with a fishing line on Tuesday, June 2, then bludgeoning them to death, according to arrest warrants reported by the Marietta Daily Journal. The incident occurred at approximately 5:49 p.m.

Surveillance video captured the pair walking along a trail to collect rocks after pulling the turtles from the lake, WSB-TV reported. A second camera showed them striking the animals with the rocks. WSB-TV's Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell obtained exclusive surveillance footage showing the timeline of events.

Cobb County Animal Services Director Steve Hammond said it appeared the suspects took pleasure in the killing.

"They spent about 21 minutes killing these two turtles," Hammond said.

Witnesses at the scene, combined with the video evidence, helped investigators identify and locate Mack and Beatty. Charges were made public around July 31.

Hammond warned that his agency routinely investigates animal cruelty cases for connections to other violent behavior.

"In many of the things that we see, we look at the links to other crimes and animal cruelty can be a steppingstone to those other crimes," Hammond said.

Under Georgia law, aggravated cruelty to animals carries one to five years in prison, a fine up to $15,000, or both. The offense covers maliciously causing the death of an animal or subjecting one to severe or prolonged physical pain. A sentencing judge may also order a psychological evaluation of the offender before sentencing.

No court date has been publicly announced. Residents who witness animal cruelty can report it to Cobb County Animal Services.