EMERGENCY human materials are being "rushed" to primary schools after a recent attack on animals in the city centre.
On May 21, three teenagers were arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty offences following an "unprovoked attack" on ducks.
Witnesses believe the suspects killed two ducks and injured other wild birds after firing missiles at the animals.
Police went to the city centre to find three boys, aged between 13 and 17-years-old, holding catapults and rocks.
They were arrested for possessing offensive weapons and animal cruelty offences.
The trio were then "de-arrested", and the police spoke to the children's parents, who have been invited to be interviewed at a later date.
'Instilling empathy in children is vital'
Spitting feathers - Elisa Allen, director of PETA
Now, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), is "rushing" emergency humane education materials to primary schools in the area to prevent future instances of violence.
PETA’s educational materials are designed to help children of all ages recognise the "importance of compassion and empathy for all living beings".
The charity’s letters to the schools also say: "Experts in mental health and law enforcement consider the callous disregard for life and desensitisation to suffering evidenced by all forms of cruelty to animals to be red flags for other kinds of violence.
"The US Federal Bureau of Investigation uses reports of crimes against animals to analyse the threat potential of suspected and known criminals. Experts agree that it's the severity of the behaviour – not the species of the victim – that matters."
PETA Director Elisa Allen said: "ETA wants to prevent any further acts of cruelty. Instilling empathy in children and teaching them to respect others of all species is vital. The safety of the whole community depends on it.”
For more information go to PETA.org.uk
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