Epidemic:
Kids Hurting Animals

As mental-health and law-enforcement experts well know, cruelty to animals and violence against humans are inextricably linked. Many educators are aware that serial killers and school shooters—including alleged killers Salvador Ramos, Payton Gendron, Nikolas Cruz, and Ethan Crumbley—tend to have a history of cruelty to animals, and Sandy Hook Promise has cruelty to animals on its “10 Critical Warning Signs of Violence” list.

Forty-three percent of perpetrators of schoolyard massacres commit acts of cruelty to animals first. Educators can help prevent future tragedies by including kindness to animals in the curriculum. Amid the current epidemic of youth violence, PETA urges everyone to report every act of cruelty against animals and calls on authorities to take each animal abuse claim seriously—for the sake of the animal victims and to help prevent future harm. Lives may depend on it.

Browse the List

Kansas

State Laws

Article 11: Curriculum
72-3231. Character development programs.

“(a) Upon request of a school district, the state board shall assist in the development of a grade appropriate curriculum for character development programs which may be offered to students in the school district. . . .”

“(2) ‘Character qualities’ means positive character qualities which include, but is not limited to, honesty, responsibility, attentiveness, patience, kindness, respect, self-control, tolerance, cooperation, initiative, patriotism and citizenship.” (Source)

Reported Animal Abuse Cases

April 2024/Valley Center, Kansas

KWCH.com reported that the Valley Center High School varsity baseball team and its coaching staff are under investigation for animal cruelty for allegedly killing a chicken, apparently on the school’s baseball diamond, prior to an away game on April 20.

May 2017/Lyon County, Kansas

Kansas.com reported that a 17-year-old girl had been charged with three counts of cruelty to animals after several guinea pigs were abandoned, one of whom—now named Rosita—was found in a mailbox. Another teenage suspect could also face charges, according to police. The other two guinea pigs had reportedly not yet been found.

April 2017/Leavenworth, Kansas

KansasCity.com reported that two teens had been sentenced in connection with several cows who had been found dead of gunshot wounds. When questioned by deputies, the defendants allegedly admitted to the shootings.

January 2017/Wichita, Kansas

KWCH.com reported that a teenager had been allegedly caught on video punching and kicking a dog. The video reportedly appears to show the teen yanking on the dog’s chain, punching him in the head, and kicking him repeatedly. The case was reportedly under investigation.