PETA Media Center > Recent News Releases : PETA Calls On Northwestern Middle School Principal to Stop Promoting Violence and Prohibit Yearly 'Hunting Wall'

For Immediate Release:
April 7, 2008

Contact:
Sangeeta Kumar 757-622-7382

Douglas County, Wis. - This morning, PETA fired off a letter to Northwestern Middle School Principal Ken Bartelt urging him to prohibit the school's yearly "hunting wall," which displays photos of dozens of pheasants, deer, geese, bears, and other animals who have been shot and killed by students. PETA points out that the "hunting wall"--the brainchild of one of the school's teachers--encourages cruelty to animals and violent behavior in students.

PETA also reminded Bartelt that in every recent school shooting, including Columbine, the perpetrators first "practiced" their deadly acts on animals. In fact, law enforcement and mental health agencies consider animal abuse a strong precursor of violence against humans. PETA suggests that the school adopt a policy of teaching students respect for all life--including animals--and stop glorifying the acts of those who callously take lives.

"Northwestern Middle School's 'hunting wall' is nothing more than a monument to violence, suffering, and death. Its prominence is dangerous for impressionable young people who get the message that killing for fun is acceptable," says PETA's TeachKind program coordinator, Sangeeta Kumar. "We're calling on Principal Bartelt to ban the wall and erect in its place a tribute to students whose compassion for others has improved their school and community."

For more information, please visit PETA's Web site PETA.org.

PETA's letter to Principal Bartelt follows.

Ken Bartelt, Principal
Northwestern Middle School
10555 E. U.S. Hwy. 2
Poplar, WI 54864

April 7, 2008

Dear Principal Bartelt,

I�m writing on behalf of PETA and our more than 1.8 million members and supporters worldwide. A member in your community has contacted us recently about the disturbing actions of one of your school�s teachers. The teacher erected a "hunting wall," where students are encouraged to display pictures of animals that they have killed. We hope you agree that in this era of increased violence and school-shooting rampages, it is vital that students learn to foster empathy for others rather than aggression. Teaching children to exercise kindness and respect and to protect even the smallest and most unloved among us helps them to value one another and the world around them. The "hunting wall" undermines these efforts and sets a precedent for a dangerous mindset that glorifies--and even rewards--violence. We urge you to permanently prohibit this kind of display on school property.

Violent acts toward animals have long been recognized as indicators of a dangerous psychopathy that does not confine itself to animals. You might not be aware of the following chilling facts:

� According to published reports, in every recent school shooting, a consistent warning sign preceded the attacks: All the young killers abused and/or killed animals before turning on their classmates.
� The majority of inmates scheduled to be executed for murder at California�s San Quentin penitentiary "practiced" their crimes on animals, according to the warden.
� FBI profilers, the American Psychiatric Association, law enforcement officials, and child-advocacy organizations all agree that animal abuse is a warning sign often seen in children who eventually direct violence toward humans.

As educators, we must start making lessons of compassion a priority. Instilling a sense of compassion in children today is the best way to prevent violence tomorrow. As a humane educator for 15 years, I have worked with students all over the country to inspire them to make a positive impact in their communities. If you need any assistance, I would be happy to help you develop a program to replace the "hunting wall" with something positive and empowering, such as a wall to recognize students who have shown exceptional character by helping their peers, animals, or the community at large. This wall would help foster an environment that promotes social responsibility, which your school�s mission statement claims to embrace.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Sangeeta Kumar, M. Ed.
TeachKind Coordinator

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