Torture, Killing of Pig at High School Prompt Offer of Humane Education

PETA Stresses Need to Teach Anti-Bullying and Compassion in the Classroom—and Suggests Ending FFA Program

For Immediate Release:
February 28, 2017

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

A pig used in Delhi High School’s FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) program was reportedly stabbed to death, burned, and hung from a tree on campus. The dead animal was discovered by a student on the morning of Sunday, February 19. Photos on social media allegedly showed people assaulting the pig, and a 16-year-old male student has since been arrested. In response, TeachKind—PETA’s humane-education division—sent letters this morning urging schools in the area to implement humane education.

TeachKind—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—has offered the schools free “Bullies Are Just Cowards: Report Abuse When You See It!” posters. The group has also asked Delhi High School to end its FFA program, noting that these programs teach students the wrong lesson that animals are commodities to be bought, sold, and slaughtered. TeachKind has offered the school free copies of “Glass Walls,” a video exposé of the meat industry narrated by Paul McCartney, which gives students a realistic look at what the food industry is like for animals—a perspective they don’t get through FFA.

“We’re facing a bullying epidemic, and if reports are true, one or more Delhi High School students tortured a pig to death and then bragged about it on social media,” says PETA Senior Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “PETA is urging the school to implement humane education, drop the FFA program, and encourage students to speak up whenever they see cruelty to animals.”

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