February 6, 2018
KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
Today, after learning that a student in Taylor High School’s FFA program was arrested after allegedly dragging a screaming pig out of a barn and shooting the animal in the head with a rifle at the school’s ag sciences facility last week, TeachKind—PETA’s humane education division—sent a letter to the school urging it to remove all animals from the FFA program immediately. According to TeachKind, FFA programs teach students that intelligent, sensitive animals are objects to be bought, used, and slaughtered.
Urging for Removal of Animals from FFA Programs
TeachKind also asked Katy ISD's superintendent to implement humane education in all schools. The group offered all the area’s high schools and middle schools free “Bullies Are Just Cowards: Report Abuse When You See It!” posters and sent elementary schools copies of its Share the World curriculum kit, which is appropriate for even the youngest students.
“We’re facing a bullying epidemic, and if reports are true, a Taylor High School student took a rifle to school and shot a terrified, screaming animal to death,” says PETA Senior Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg.
“TeachKind is urging the school to remove animals from its FFA program and to prevent further acts of violence by teaching kids to have respect for all living beings.”
Perpetrators of Violent Crimes Against Animals Can Be a Danger to People
TeachKind—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—notes that according to leading mental-health professionals and law-enforcement agencies, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat to the community at large. Its staff is available to send materials to schools, suggest lesson plans, and even host classroom presentations for students via Skype—all for free.
The group’s letters sent to Katy ISD are available upon request. For more information, please visit TeachKind.org.
THE STUDENT ARRESTED FOR PIG SHOOTING STORY IS BELOW
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Katy ISD Student Arrested for Shooting FFA Pig at Ag Facility
Pig in FFA Program Was Dragged then Killed with a 22-Caliber Rifle
On Friday, February 2, Samuel Mullins, a 17-year-old student was arrested after he allegedly shot a pig on school property. The Taylor High School FFA student was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon. His bond was set at $10,000. Mullins is accused of shooting a pig at the district's agricultural sciences facility located at 24263 Beckendorff Road in Katy.
Witnesses said Mullins tried to drag the squealing pig out of a barn using a rope, according to court records. At some point during the act, the student is believed to have pulled out a 22-caliber rifle which he used to shoot the animal in the head.
A teacher heard the gunshot from a nearby barn and notified Katy ISD police. Katy ISD parents were notified of the incident.
Following is the Katy ISD letter that was sent to parents:
"The purpose of this message is to inform you of an incident that occurred this week at the district's agricultural sciences facility after regular school hours. A high school student who was attempting to move a livestock project to a processing facility decided to terminate the animal on site prior to transporting it. The student used a firearm to conduct this activity. Upon hearing the firearm's discharge, a teacher at a nearby barn immediately notified the Katy ISD Police who have since begun an investigation into the incident. At no time did the student make any threat toward other individuals present, nor were other livestock projects harmed. As with any matter of this nature, the appropriate disciplinary action will follow - including the removal of the student from the program for possession of a firearm on school district grounds.
"We ask that you use this incident as a teachable moment with your student to help confirm with them the important role they play in keeping our schools and facilities safe.
"The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority at Katy ISD. With your help, we will continue our commitment to creating safe and secure learning environments, be it in our classrooms or other facilities."