TeachKind Calls for Humane Education in Wake of Violent Cat Killing

Animal Euthanized After Sustaining Multiple Broken Bones Following Attack With Bricks

For Immediate Release:
May 23, 2014

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Last week, two brothers broke up an attack on a cat who was being beaten with bricks by a group of students outside School 4 in Paterson. The cat sustained a broken jaw, two broken legs, and a broken eye socket and had to be euthanized. That’s why today, TeachKind—PETA’s humane-education division—rushed letters to area schools calling on them to begin teaching students about the dangers of abusing animals and how it can lead to violence against humans.

“The FBI uses reports of animal abuse while gauging the threat potential of suspected and known criminals, and the American Psychiatric Association identifies it as one diagnostic criterion for conduct disorders,” writes TeachKind coordinator Nina Kahn. “The prevention of violence can start in the classroom if students are taught to have empathy for all living beings.”

TeachKind is offering to send copies of its poster titled “Abuse: Report It if You See It” to each school in the areain the hope of preventing similar incidents. Many serial killers and mass murderers first attacked and killed animals. TeachKind’s humane-education lessons help kids learn to have empathy for allliving beings, allowing educators to reach them before they ever lash out violently against anyone.

TeachKind’s staff is always available to send free materials, suggest free lesson plans, and even host free classroom presentations with students via Skype.

For more information, please visit TeachKind.org.