Video of Teens Killing Wild Animals Prompts Offer of Humane Education

PETA Stresses Need to Teach Compassion in the Classroom

For Immediate Release:
October 10, 2018

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

Following reports that four teenagers face charges after allegedly torturing and killing ducks and turtles at Apache Creek Park and posting video evidence of the attacks on their social media accounts, TeachKind—PETA’s humane education division—sent letters this morning urging local schools and San Antonio Independent School District Superintendent Pedro Martinez to implement lessons in humane education immediately.

TeachKind—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—has also offered San Antonio high schools and middle schools 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 help schools comply with Texas’ education code, which requires that students receive lessons in kindness, empathy, and compassion as part of their character education.

“Violence is sweeping through our schools, and these teens apparently used social media to brag about kicking and killing multiple animals,” says peta2 Associate Director of Youth Campaigns Rachelle Owen. “TeachKind is urging San Antonio schools 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.