Juveniles’ Arrest for Alleged Torture Spree on Farm Prompts Offer of Humane Education

PETA’s Humane-Education Division Stresses the Importance of Teaching Kids Empathy for All Living Beings

For Immediate Release:
January 23, 2015

Contact:
Alexis Sadoti 202-483-7382

Following news that three Hildago County juveniles are expected to be charged with allegedly beating, poisoning, mutilating, and killing animals at the La Villa Independent School District’s Ag Farm, TeachKind—PETA’s humane-education division—rushed letters to area schools this morning calling on them to begin teaching students about the dangers of abusing animals and explaining how this act can lead to continued anti-social behavior, from further acts of violence against animals to bullying, aggression, and violence against humans.

“Teaching kids to be kind does as much for the children as for the animals, because kids who abuse animals and never have that behavior called out often continue behaving violently,” says PETA Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “PETA and TeachKind’s lessons help start violence prevention in the classroom by teaching students to have empathy for all living beings.”

TeachKind and PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—are sending copies of their poster titled “Abuse: Report It if You See It” to each school in the area in hopes of preventing similar incidents. Many serial killers and mass murderers first attacked and killed animals, including the shooters at Columbine High School and “Canadian Cannibal” killer Luka Rocco Magnotta.

TeachKind’s staff is always available to send free materials to schools, suggest free lesson plans, and even host free classroom presentations with students via Skype.

For more information, please visit TeachKind.org.