Youngstown School District to Receive Empathy Curricula From PETA After Children’s Violent Attack on Dog

For Immediate Release:
November 1, 2024

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

Following reports that authorities are investigating a group of children—ages 5, 7, and 12—suspected of stabbing a 6-year-old dog named Nico multiple times and striking him with objects, TeachKind, PETA’s humane education division, sent Youngstown City School District Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor an urgent letter today stressing the need for humane education that fosters empathy for all living, feeling beings. The group also sent kindness-to-animals educational materials, including “Empathy Now,” a guide to preventing violence by young people, and its “Share the World” program kit, which includes lessons that aim to foster empathy for animals and are appropriate for even the youngest learners.

Nico, whom animal rescue workers described as “very friendly” and “incredibly affectionate” despite the trauma he had suffered, was bleeding profusely from the attack and transported to a veterinary hospital for emergency treatment.

TeachKind’s letter points out that although this crime was reported in local media as “unique” and “unprecedented,” an epidemic of youth violence is surging throughout the U.S., so Youngstown City School District is far from alone.

“This unfathomable act of violence against a dog, who was repeatedly stabbed in his own backyard, is all the more horrifying considering that the accused are children as young as 5 years old,” says PETA Vice President of Youth Programs Marta Holmberg. “It’s clear that swift intervention is needed, and TeachKind stands ready to help the Youngstown City School District teach its students that every sentient being, whether a canine or a classmate, deserves empathy and respect.”

TeachKind is also sending the school district its “Challenging Assumptions” curriculum, which helps secondary school students examine discrimination and other social justice issues, along with a set of anti-bullying posters.

Sandy Hook Promise includes cruelty to animals on its list of “10 Critical Warning Signs of Violence,” and research shows that approximately 43% of school shooters first committed acts of cruelty against animals—so animal abusers potentially pose a serious threat to communities at large. TeachKind resources are easy to integrate into schools’ existing curricula to help prevent future violence.

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.