Tennessee
State Laws
T.C.A. 49-6-1007(a). Character Education –
“(a) The course of instruction in all public schools shall include character education to help each student develop positive values and improve student conduct as students learn to act in harmony with their positive values and learn to become good citizens in their school, community, and society.” (Source) *Select Legislation and Guidance
Reported Animal Abuse Cases
Local3News.com reported that what appeared to be six young people stood around a caged cat while a girl sprayed the animal with a water hose.
NewsChannel9.com reported that a teen had beaten a dog with a stick so viciously that the animal died while another teen apparently filmed the incident. The horrifying video was then reportedly shared via social media and with local law-enforcement officials.
Fox13Memphis.com reported that 18-year-old Memphis resident Kyoko Smith had been accused by officials of having beheaded her grandmother’s dog, an alleged crime for which she reportedly faces felony charges.
FOX17.com reported that a Nashville teacher had been charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals after an emu allegedly died in her care.
WKRN.com reported that a 12-year-old boy had been charged with aggravated animal abuse after allegedly beating a cat and throwing her into a dumpster.
WAAYTV.com reported that two fifth-grade students faced aggravated cruelty-to-animals charges after allegedly breaking into Ralph Askins Elementary School and putting peanut butter and whipped cream into a fish tank, killing the animals inside.
WKRN.com reported that a 17-year-old Nashville resident was arrested on felony cruelty-to-animals charges after he allegedly admitted to dragging his dog down a north Nashville street while repeatedly striking the animal.
NewsChannel5.com reported that a 16-year-old girl had been charged with felony cruelty to animals in juvenile court after allegedly beating her boyfriend’s 3-month-old puppy to death.
WKRN.com reported that a Nashville teenager had been accused of grabbing a rabbit by the ears and throwing the animal across a room in an attack that was captured on video and shared on social media. The rabbit received veterinary care, and reported evidence of a prior injury suggests that the animal had been abused before.
WBBJTV.com reported that a teenager had been charged with cruelty to animals after officials found his 2-month-old puppy tied to a ladder in his backyard, malnourished, with a USB cable wrapped so tightly around the animal’s neck that it cut into the skin. Reportedly, the puppy could only move about six inches because of the wire and there was no water or food source within reach.
NewsChannel9.com reported that a 10-year-old boy had been accused of stabbing his family’s puppy in the face multiple times with pocket knife. The dog reportedly underwent emergency surgery and was recovering but lost the use of one of his eyes.
WRCBTV.com reported that a 15-year-old high school student had allegedly trampled to death and then skinned a raccoon on his school’s campus. A video of the act had been shared on social media and viewed by fellow students, and the incident was under investigation.
WGNSRadio.com reported that a 16-year-old boy had been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals for torturing and killing his family’s dog and then hiding the body inside a storage barn. The dog allegedly sustained stab wounds and head trauma and experienced bleeding.