El Paso, Texas – TeachKind, the humane education division of PETA, is urging the El Paso Independent School District to implement humane education programs following disturbing incidents involving students. Reports of a Charles Q. Murphree PK–8 School student filmed beating a family dog, along with a separate incident at Hurshel Antwine Middle School where a student threw a teacher to the ground, prompted TeachKind to send an urgent letter to Superintendent Diana Sayavedra. The letter emphasizes the importance of fostering empathy for all living beings among students.
In response to the violent acts captured on video, TeachKind provided El Paso schools with educational materials such as “Empathy Now,” a guide focused on preventing youth violence, and the “Share the World” curriculum kit designed to promote empathy for animals. Additionally, TeachKind sent “Challenging Assumptions” to address social justice issues with secondary students, along with anti-bullying posters.
The video of the dog being beaten, circulated in a group chat, shows the young person repeatedly kicking, stomping, and hitting the animal as it tries to escape. Disturbingly, the footage includes audio of individuals laughing and making comments indicating amusement at the suffering of the dog.
PETA’s Senior Director of Youth Programs, Marta Holmberg, emphasized the necessity of humane education in schools, stating that cultivating compassion is crucial. TeachKind aims to assist schools in teaching students the importance of showing empathy and respect towards all sentient beings, whether they are animals or classmates.
Studies have shown a concerning connection between animal cruelty and future acts of violence. TeachKind’s resources are readily available for schools to integrate into their existing curricula, with the goal of preventing such incidents from occurring in the future. TeachKind also offers free presentations, lessons, and other resources to help educators incorporate compassion into their teaching.
PETA, known for its advocacy against animal abuse, stresses that every animal deserves kindness and respect. The organization provides Empathy Kits for individuals seeking to learn about compassion towards animals. For more information on TeachKind’s programs and resources, interested individuals can visit the TeachKind website or follow the group on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.