Possible Second Incident of Suspected Juvenile Cruelty to Animals Prompts PETA Action

After Dog’s Head Suspected to Have Been Kicked In, PETA’s Humane-Education Division Stresses Need for Kindness in the Classroom

For Immediate Release:
March 2, 2016

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Just one year after two Bakersfield teens were arrested for allegedly feeding a live cat to two dogs, a dog was reportedly found on February 19 with a shattered jaw—and it’s suspected that a juvenile may be responsible for kicking and stepping on the animal’s head. In case that proves to be true, TeachKind, PETA’s humane-education division, rushed letters to local schools this afternoon stressing the urgency of implementing humane education in classrooms immediately.

TeachKind and PETA—whose mottos read, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—are also offering free copies of their “Abuse: Report It if You See It” poster to area schools in the hope of preventing future abuse.

“There’s a huge need to teach kids to be kind in Bakersfield and around the world,” says PETA Senior Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “TeachKind is calling on local schools to help end violent behavior by teaching empathy for all living beings and reminding students to report cruelty when they see it.”

TeachKind notes that according to leading mental-health professionals and law-enforcement agencies, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat to the community at large. TeachKind’s staff is available to send materials to schools, suggest lesson plans, and even host classroom presentations with students via Skype—all for free.

TeachKind’s letter to schools in Bakersfield is available upon request. For more information, please visit TeachKind.org.