After Juveniles Allegedly Kill Dog, PETA Offers Humane Education

Animal Rights Group Stresses Need to Teach Anti-Bullying and Empathy in the Classroom—for Whole Community’s Sake

For Immediate Release:
March 31, 2017

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Following reports that two local juveniles allegedly hanged and killed a stray dog and that a picture of the hanged animal circulated on social media, TeachKind—PETA’s humane-education division—sent letters today calling on Lincoln County Schools to implement humane education. The suspects are reportedly facing cruelty-to-animals charges.

TeachKind—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—has offered area schools free “Bullies Are Just Cowards: Report Abuse When You See It!” posters and is sending elementary schools its Share the World curriculum kits, which include lesson plans designed to help educators teach students about empathy and kindness to animals. The group has also asked the superintendent of Lincoln County Schools to add a prohibition against cruelty to animals to the district’s student code of conduct.

“In light of this act of violence and the bullying epidemic that is so prevalent in schools today, it’s crucial that educators teach students that it’s not acceptable to hurt animals, let alone hang and kill one,” says PETA Senior Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “PETA is urging Lincoln County Schools to implement humane education, enact a districtwide policy against cruelty to animals, and encourage students to report any abuse to animals that they witness.”

TeachKind notes that individuals who demonstrate a blatant disregard for life by hurting animals rarely stop there. According to leading mental-health professionals and law-enforcement agencies, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat to the community at large. TeachKind’s staff is available to send materials to schools, suggest lesson plans, and even host classroom presentations for students via Skype—all free of charge.

The group’s letter is available upon request. For more information, please visit TeachKind.org.