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
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.