REEDLEY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – PETA announced on Wednesday that they have sent educational materials that urge kindness to animals and prevent violence by young people to schools in Reedley. This comes after a 12-year-old was caught on camera kicking a guinea pig, and leaving it to die.

The video showed a child on a doorbell camera kicking a guinea pig outside a Reedley home, causing its death. It also showed the juvenile chasing a chicken and then kicking the guinea pig, before fleeing the scene.

Due to this incident, PETA’s humane education division sent the Kings Canyon Unified School District’s superintendent a letter that they say is urgent.

The letter states that there is an epidemic of youth violence surging throughout the United States. It also states that as mental health and law-enforcement experts know well, cruelty to animals and violence against humans are inextricably linked.

The letter also says serial killers and school shooters tend to have a history of cruelty to animals. According to the letter, children who have witnessed the abuse of animals are more likely to abuse animals themselves.

In a study that the letter cited it states, “Teaching children to be more humane, compassionate, and respectful towards living beings can help reduce all types of violence.”

It’s critical that schools set a standard of compassion by fostering empathy for animals
throughout their lessons and activities, and research suggests that this can even help students academically.

PETA.

PETA officials say they have sent a step-by-step trauma-informed guide that addresses and prevents youth violence against animals. They also sent a Share the World Program, which teaches students the importance of the golden rule, compassion, and kindness, as well as a Challenging assumption curriculum which is designed to encourage empathy and promote a positive school culture and anti-bullying posters.