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When a video of an individual beating, choking, and electroshocking a terrified dog in Louisiana went viral on social media, furious users flooded the comments sections to demand justice for the canine. Now, that day has come with the arrest of a 15-year-old boy and two other Ponchatoula-area teens on charges of animal cruelty. The dog has been removed from the suspect’s custody and placed in a new home, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. TeachKind—PETA’s humane education division—has stepped in and is committed to helping Ponchatoula prevent young people from abusing animals in the future.
Watch the video:
The video, taken in the Manchac Swamp in 2023, surfaced on Snapchat in late July 2024. It shows the individual choking the dog, repeatedly punching him in the face, using an electric collar to shock him multiple times, and screaming profanities at him during an apparent attempt to use him to hunt ducks.
Humans can be heard laughing during the violent onslaught. Horrified social media users helped the video go viral to spread the word about the abuse. When authorities were notified, they launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of all three teens involved in the abuse.
When young people beat, choke, and shock a vulnerable dog and record footage of his suffering, that’s a clear sign that swift intervention is needed. TeachKind stands ready to assist Ponchatoula High School in cultivating compassion in its students, which could save animals’ lives and help all young people achieve their full compassionate potential.
TeachKind has sent an urgent letter to Ponchatoula High School Principal Anna Faye Caminita stressing the need for humane education.
After a Dog Was Beaten and Electroshocked, TeachKind Rushed Resources to Ponchatoula High School
TeachKind’s letter provides school staff with access to kindness-to-animals educational materials, including “Empathy Now,” a guide to preventing violence by young people, and “Challenging Assumptions,” which helps students examine discrimination and other social justice issues.
TeachKind also sent Animalkind: Remarkable Discoveries About Animals and Revolutionary New Ways to Show Them Compassion by PETA President Ingrid Newkirk, with an offer to provide a class set of the book for the school’s students. This essential resource provides readers with a wealth of information on other animals and reveals how to ensure that the species we share the world with are protected and respected.
PETA Tracks Youth Violence Against Animals
The rash of violence toward animals in North America will continue to grow if these incidents of abuse are forgotten. To help make the world safer for humans and other animals, TeachKind diligently tracks cases in which young people torment or kill animals.
View the tracker.
View Challenging Assumptions
Read About AnimalKind
Violence to Animals Is Only the Beginning
Many abusers first commit acts of violence against other animals before setting their sights on humans.
Sandy Hook Promise includes cruelty to animals on its “10 Critical Warning Signs of Violence” list, and research shows that approximately 43% of school shooters first committed acts of cruelty against animals. That’s why animal abusers pose a serious threat to communities at large.
TeachKind’s resources are easy to integrate into schools’ existing curricula to help prevent future violence.
Youth Violence Can Be Prevented
Not every student receives lessons in kindness and compassion at home, which is why it’s up to schools to fill in those gaps. TeachKind is here to help teachers and school administrators do just that.
“Compassion can be cultivated. TeachKind stands ready to help schools teach their students that every sentient being, whether a canine or a classmate, deserves empathy and respect.”
Marta Holmberg, PETA Senior Director of Youth Programs
If you’re an educator or know someone who is, visit TeachKind.org to download free humane education materials:
