Humane-Education Kits Rushed to Berkshire Schools After Animal-Killing Spree by Local Youths

For Immediate Release:

2 December 2016

Contact:

Jennifer White +44 (0) 20 78376327, ext 222; [email protected]

 HUMANE-EDUCATION KITS RUSHED TO BERKSHIRE SCHOOLS AFTER ANIMAL-KILLING SPREE BY LOCAL YOUTHS

PETA Warns That Animal Abusers Are Likely to Escalate Behaviour Unless Stopped

Colnbrook, Slough – After hearing that three brothers reportedly have been named and shamed in an injunction by their council in connection with anti-social behaviour including the torture of several animals, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is rushing emergency humane-education materials to primary schools in the area to prevent future instances of violence. According to reports, the three youngsters (aged 12, 14, and 16) fired catapults at frightened neighbourhood animals, and one even posed for a photo with the weapon and a dead parakeet.

PETA’s educational materials are designed to help children of all ages recognise the importance of compassion and empathy for all living beings. The charity’s letters to the schools also point out that experts in mental health and law enforcement consider the callous disregard for life and desensitisation to suffering evidenced by all forms of cruelty to animals to be red flags for other kinds of violence. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation uses reports of crimes against animals to analyse the threat potential of suspected and known criminals. Experts agree that it is the severity of the behaviour – not the species of the victim – that matters.

“PETA wants to prevent any further acts of cruelty”, says PETA Director Elisa Allen. “Instilling empathy in children and teaching them to respect others, human and non-human, is vital. The safety of the whole community depends on it.”

PETA’s letters to the schools are available upon request. For more information about the link between cruelty to animals and violence towards humans – or to order a free humane-education pack – please visit PETA.org.uk.

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