PETA urges empathy programs in schools after Bradley County dog abuse video

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – The national group PETA is asking the Bradley County schools to take action after the video surfaced of a teen beating a dog to death with a stick.

Two juveniles have actually been arrested in the case, the one on camera and the other behind it.

PETA has sent the letters to both the county and city school systems asking them to give empathy lessons to students in class.

They are offering to provide kindness to animals curriculum for K-12 grades plus “Empathy Now,” a guide to preventing youth violence against animals.

They note that Tennessee law strongly encourages character education programs.

“If reports are true, a teen beat a vulnerable, trusting dog to death while another filmed it and bragged about it on social media,” says PETA Senior Director of Youth Programs Marta Holmberg. “Compassion and empathy can be learned, and TeachKind is on standby to help schools teach young people that violence is wrong, whether the victim is a canine or a classmate.”

They say research has shown that 43% of school massacre perpetrators first abused animals.

You can learn more about the programs at TeachKind.org.