Teens’ Fatal Beating of Duck Prompts Offer of Humane Education

PETA Stresses Need to Teach Compassion in the Classroom

For Immediate Release:
September 12, 2019

Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382

Following reports that a group of teenagers lured wild ducks out of the water, beat one over the head with a broomstick, and killed him, TeachKind—PETA’s humane education division—sent letters this afternoon urging local schools and School Administrative Unit #9 Superintendent Kevin Richard to implement lessons in compassion immediately.

TeachKind—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—has also offered the Conway high school and middle school free “Bullies Are Just Cowards: Report Abuse When You See It!” posters and sent elementary schools in the district its Share the World curriculum kits, which include lesson plans that aim to foster empathy for animals and are appropriate for even the youngest learners. The kits also help educators address New Hampshire’s law that encourages schools to integrate a “violence prevention” policy into their curriculum.

“Violence is sweeping through our schools, and these teens apparently launched a cruel and deadly attack on this duck,” says PETA Director of Student Campaigns and Influence Rachelle Owen. “TeachKind is urging schools in the area to help prevent anyone else from getting hurt by implementing humane education.”

TeachKind notes that, 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. Its staff is available to send materials to schools, suggest lesson plans, and even host classroom presentations for students via Skype—all for free.

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