Alabama
State Laws
Act 95-313
“The State Board of Education and all local boards shall develop and implement a comprehensive character education program for all grades to consist of not less than ten minutes instruction per day focusing upon the students’ development of the following character traits: Courage, patriotism, citizenship, honesty, fairness, respect for others, kindness, cooperation, self-respect, self-control, courtesy, compassion, tolerance, diligence, generosity, punctuality, cleanliness, cheerfulness, school pride, respect for the environment, patience, creativity, sportsmanship, loyalty, and perseverance. Each plan of instruction shall include the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag” (1995 Accountability Law). (Source)
Reported Animal Abuse Cases
Yahoo News reported that a Dale County teen faces charges, including aggravated animal cruelty, for his alleged involvement in a series of social media videos apparently depicting an individual violently attacking and torturing animals. The footage, which is reportedly contained in multiple videos that authorities deem “[v]ery disturbing and hard to watch,” allegedly depicts the boy beating a kitten with a metal shovel and repeatedly firing a gun directly at a dog from close range.
Al.com reported that authorities had arrested two people—18-year-old Trenton Dewayne Sudberry and an unnamed juvenile—for allegedly shooting a gun at a dog named Bullet, apparently as “target practice,” and that both individuals had been charged with cruelty to animals. The attack was reportedly recorded on video, and the alleged footage appears to depict an individual shooting a long-barrel gun at close range at a dog tied to a tree as the canine seemingly tries to escape. Bullet, who had reportedly been missing, is apparently safe and has been reunited with his family, which says it’s dedicated to supporting his recovery from this traumatic ordeal.
WBRC.com reported that a teen allegedly attacked a dog named Finn with a machete, stabbing him multiple times, apparently as a form of discipline after Finn defecated on the porch or inside the house. The young person was reportedly the same individual who adopted him from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society several years ago, which referred to the attack as “one of the most disturbing cases of abuse we have ever seen.” The teen suspect was reportedly taken into custody, and a petition was filed in family court for cruelty to animals. Despite sustaining life-threatening injuries, Finn is expected to make a full recovery thanks to emergency surgery and over 100 stitches.
WSFA.com reported that a teenager had stolen a horse who was nursing a broken hip back to health. Yankey, the horse, was allegedly seen and filmed being ridden many times over the course of three days to the point where he couldn’t stand. The teen along with a 23-year-old allegedly loaded Yankey into a trailer and forced him out into a creek, causing the horse to drown.
Local15TV.com reported that three juveniles had been accused of ambushing a resident while she was walking her dogs on her property and then gunning down and killing one of the animals with repeated blasts from a shotgun before running off.
WSFA.com reported that two teenagers, ages 17 and 18, had been arrested and charged with felony cruelty to animals for allegedly beheading three stray puppies with a machete and posting a video of the acts on social media. The charges were reportedly upgraded from misdemeanors to felonies because of the “horrific” nature of the crimes.
AL.com reported that two students from Horseshoe Bend High School allegedly tortured a kitten during an after-school activity on school grounds, apparently tossing the animal into the air, kicking them, and attempting to blind them by spray-painting their eyes. Reportedly, one of the kittens’ legs was broken during the cruel attack. Both teens reportedly face first-degree felony animal cruelty charges and are anticipated to be held accountable for the cost of the cat’s resulting veterinary care.