Alvord, TX – A Texas high school teacher at Alvord High School, located about an hour outside Dallas, is facing public outrage after telling her animal science students that she fed an “ailing” kitten to a classroom snake in early September.
Incident Details
The teacher, who supervises an advanced animal science class, reportedly informed her teenage students that the snake ate the sickly kitten alive before school. The rest of the litter was sent home with a student, who had parental permission to care for them.
Tragically, all three remaining week-old kittens later died at the student’s home, despite the teenager bottle-feeding them every few hours for two weeks.
School District Response
Alvord ISD Superintendent Randy Brown issued a statement to clarify the incident after reports circulated that the kitten was sacrificed in front of the class. The statement confirmed:
- A concerned parent alerted the district police, Wise County Sheriff’s Animal Control, and PETA on September 3, prompting a joint investigation
- The teacher is an experienced educator and animal lover who has apologized to her students
- The teacher voluntarily removed all other snakes from the classroom
- The incident is described as a one-time, isolated event that has been fully addressed
No criminal charges were filed against the teacher, and any future administrative actions are left to the school district.
Animal Facts
Many Texas snakes, including cottonmouths and rattlesnakes, rarely consume household pets. Most snakes focus on smaller prey like insects, amphibians, and other reptiles. Larger snakes, such as Burmese pythons in Florida, are more likely to consume animals that can resist.
The origin of the sickly kitten litter and the reason for their condition remain unclear, as per The Post.
Ethical Concerns and Community Reaction
The incident has raised questions about ethics in animal handling in schools and the responsibility of educators in teaching humane practices. Parents and community members continue to express concern over the emotional impact on students and the welfare of animals.
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