Teen’s Arrest for Beating Dog With Bat, Pickaxe Brings PETA Offer of School Empathy Program
For Immediate Release:
April 3, 2026
Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382
Following the arrest of an Altoona teen accused of attempting to break a dog’s neck and smashing the dog’s head multiple times with a metal baseball bat, TeachKind—PETA’s humane education division—sent an urgent letter to Superintendent Brad Hatch stressing the need for classroom lessons that condemn violence and foster empathy for all living beings. To help launch the initiative, TeachKind is rushing humane education resources to the district, and PETA plans to erect a sky-high message in the area asking residents who suspect any young person of abusing animals to contact TeachKind for free resources that help parents and educators cultivate compassion.
According to law‑enforcement statements, the dog—Bailey—arrived at an emergency clinic severely underweight at just 25 pounds, and veterinarians determined that she had likely been tied by her hind legs following a failed strangulation attempt. Bailey was also reportedly struck in the skull with a metal baseball bat, causing a fracture, then hit again with a pickaxe, and her head was slammed into concrete. Another dog in the home was reportedly found deceased in a box, with indications of starvation and neglect.
“Cruelty to animals is enough in itself to raise the alarm, but such acts are inextricably linked to violence to humans, and schools have a powerful opportunity to intervene early,” says PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “Equipping teachers with humane education tools helps students call out bullying, build empathy, strengthen emotional intelligence, and contributes to a safer, kinder world, and TeachKind stands ready to support the Altoona community.”
TeachKind’s materials include “Empathy Now,” a guide to preventing violence by young people; “Challenging Assumptions” curriculum, which helps secondary school students examine discrimination and other social justice issues; its “Share the World” program kit, which includes lessons that aim to foster empathy for animals and are appropriate for even the youngest learners; and anti-bullying posters.
TeachKind is also encouraging community members to attend the next school board meeting to urge the district to implement humane education materials:
When: Monday, April 13, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Where: Altoona Area High School Science Commons, 1404 6th Ave.
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 more information about PETA’s humane education resources, please visit TeachKind.org or follow TeachKind on Facebook and Instagram.
