Local School to Receive Empathy Curricula From PETA After Teen’s Violent Attack on Dog

For Immediate Release:
August 7, 2024

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

Following the arrest of three Ponchatoula-area teenagers in connection with a social media video that shows an individual violently beating and shocking a dog as two other people laugh, TeachKind—PETA’s humane education division—sent Ponchatoula High School Principal Anna Faye Caminita an urgent letter this morning stressing the need for humane education that fosters empathy for all living, feeling beings. The group also sent kindness-to-animals educational materials, including “Empathy Now,” a guide to preventing violence by young people; “Challenging Assumptions,” which helps secondary students examine discrimination and other social justice issues; and Animalkind: Remarkable Discoveries About Animals and Revolutionary New Ways to Show Them Compassionby PETA President Ingrid Newkirk, with an offer to provide a class set of the book for the school’s students.

According to reports, the disturbing video footage shows an individual choking the dog, repeatedly punching him in the face, using an electric collar to shock him multiple times, and screaming profanities at him during an apparent attempt to use him to hunt ducks. Humans can be heard laughing as the dog howls in pain throughout the violent onslaught. The dog has been removed from the suspect’s custody and placed in a new home, according to a statement from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.

“When young people find it amusing to beat, choke, and shock a vulnerable dog and record footage of his suffering, it’s clear that humane education is sorely needed,” says PETA Senior Director of Youth Programs Marta Holmberg. “Compassion can be cultivated, and TeachKind stands ready to help Ponchatoula High School teach its students that every sentient being, whether a canine or a classmate, deserves empathy and respect.” 

Sandy Hook Promise includes cruelty to animals on its list of “10 Critical Warning Signs of Violence,” and research shows that approximately 43% of school shooters first committed acts of cruelty against animals—so animal abusers potentially pose a serious threat to communities at large. TeachKind resources are easy to integrate into schools’ existing curricula to help prevent future violence. 

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. TeachKind offers free presentations, lessons, and other resources to help teachers add compassion to their curricula. For more information, please visit TeachKind.org or follow the group on Facebook or Instagram.