Humane Education Kits Rushed to Gosport Schools After Kids Lob Rocks at Sheep

For Immediate Release:

10 May 2019

Contact:

Jennifer White +44 (0) 20 7837 6327, ext 222; [email protected]

HUMANE EDUCATION KITS RUSHED TO GOSPORT SCHOOLS AFTER KIDS LOB ROCKS AT SHEEP

PETA Warns That Animal Abusers’ Behaviour Is Likely to Escalate Unless Stopped

Gosport, Hampshire – After hearing that six teenagers have been arrested for throwing rocks at sheep in Alver Valley Country Park – allegedly leaving animals limping, bruised, and with broken horns – 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.

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’s 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.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact Gosport’s Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101.

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