Westwood Must Dismiss Teacher Accused of Instructing Students to Torment Cat—and Ban Use of Animals in Classrooms, Too—Says PETA

For Immediate Release:
September 13, 2024

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

Following reports that Westwood High School teacher Emily Marie Benner instructed students to pin down a fully conscious and struggling cat and staple the animal’s stomach wound with no anesthesia, TeachKind—PETA’s humane education division—sent a letter to Westwood Independent School District Board of Trustees President Dr. Carolyn J. Booker calling for the dismissal of the instructor and a ban on the use of animals in classrooms at all Westwood schools.

A video of the incident shared online apparently shows Benner ordering students to grab and restrain the cat, who screams as the students pin down the animal and staple the open wound. Benner was later arrested and charged with cruelty to animals.

“According to reports, this teacher instructed children to torment a screaming cat while ignoring the animal’s obvious terror. If this is the case, she shouldn’t be allowed within 100 miles of a classroom,” says PETA Vice President Rachelle Owen. “PETA is calling on the Westwood school district to dismiss Benner immediately and to get all animals out of its classrooms.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. TeachKind offers free presentations, lessons, and other resources to help teachers add compassion to their curricula. For more information, please visit TeachKind.org or follow the group on Facebook or Instagram.

TeachKind’s letter to Booker follows.

September 11, 2024 

Carolyn J. Booker, D.B.A. 

President 

Westwood ISD Board of Trustees

Dear Dr. Booker: 

I’m writing to you as a biologist, a parent, and a former educator as well as on behalf of TeachKind—PETA’s humane education division—regarding the reported incident of cat torture in Emily Benner’s agriculture class. TeachKind is calling for her immediate dismissal and a ban on the use of cats and all other animals in educational programs at Westwood ISD.  

According to news accounts, Benner was arrested and charged with cruelty-to-animals after instructing students to immobilize a conscious cat and staple the animal’s open abdominal wound—without anesthetic—in what amounted to a chaotic and traumatic event for all involved. If these allegations prove to be true, she has no place in a classroom. 

Benner’s reported actions were egregious and completely avoidable because animal dissection and experiments on live animals have no place in a modern classroom. Medical schools no longer use animal dissection to teach medical students, and any proposed veterinary training can and should be done with local veterinary offices through internships. In addition, these actions are in direct violation of the district’s code of ethics on these particular points: 

• Standard 1.7. The educator shall comply with state regulations, written local school board policies, and other state and federal laws. 
• Standard 1.10. The educator shall be of good moral character and be worthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state. 
• Standard 3.2. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor. 

Furthermore, studies show that students who witness cruelty to animals are more likely to commit acts of violence toward other animals and their peers. Cruelty is perpetuated through desensitization and decreased empathy—both of which were prevalent in Benner’s alleged heinous actions as she ignored a screaming, struggling animal. 

May I please hear from you regarding this urgent matter and have your assurance that Westwood ISD will formally ban all activities involving cats and other animals? 

Sincerely, 

Samantha Crowe, M.A. 

Science Education Program Manager