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.

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District of Columbia

State Laws

§ 2–1517.32.

“(a) By March 30, 2013, the Mayor shall submit a comprehensive plan to the Council for the expansion of early childhood and school-based behavioral health programs and services by the 2016-2017 school year. At minimum, the plan shall: (1) Establish a strategy to enhance behavioral health services in all public schools and public charter schools, including: (A) The implementation of programs that: (iii) Promote social and emotional competency in students.” (Source)

Reported Animal Abuse Cases

While there may not be any reported cases of animal abuse in a state or province, that doesn’t necessarily mean that acts of violence aren’t being perpetrated. Unfortunately, many animals aren’t protected against cruelty under the law, including those perceived by some to be “nuisances” and those used for food.