Target: Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas
A deeply troubling incident has emerged from Palestine, Texas, involving a reported case of animal cruelty during an agricultural animal science class. Emily Marie Benner, an agriculture teacher at Westwood Independent School District, has been accused of instructing her students to perform a painful procedure on a live cat. The cat, awake and resisting, was reportedly laid on a table while the students stapled its incision under Benner’s guidance, an act apparently captured in a graphic video obtained by CBS19.
The video, which has since caused widespread outrage, allegedly shows the teacher directing her students to grab the cat and hold it down. Despite the animal’s apparent distress, the procedure reportedly continued, culminating in cheers from the classroom. The cat, fortunately, survived and is currently under the care of a local veterinarian. Still, the trauma inflicted during the incident has raised serious concerns about animal welfare and ethical practices in educational settings.
The alleged actions of Emily Marie Benner in this incident call for a thorough investigation and strict legal action. The Anderson County District Attorney must pursue this case with the full weight of the law to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. The reported behavior constitutes a grave violation of ethical standards and sets a dangerous precedent if left unaddressed. Holding those allegedly responsible accountable will reinforce the importance of humane animal treatment and uphold our educational institutions’ integrity.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear AG Paxton,
I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the recent incident involving Emily Marie Benner, an agriculture teacher at Westwood Independent School District, who has been charged with animal cruelty. According to reports and a graphic video obtained by CBS19, Ms. Benner allegedly instructed her students to perform a painful procedure on a live cat during an agricultural animal science class. The video reportedly shows the cat, awake and resisting, being held down and stapled by the students under the teacher’s guidance.
The distressing footage, which ends with cheers from the classroom, suggests a blatant disregard for the animal’s welfare. Although the cat is currently under veterinary care, the trauma and suffering inflicted during this reported incident highlight a serious lapse in judgment and a violation of ethical standards. Such actions, if proven true, are cruel and deeply inappropriate in an educational environment.
I urge you to take immediate and decisive legal action against Emily Marie Benner to ensure accountability for her alleged actions. This case must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law to prevent any similar occurrences and reaffirm our commitment to humanely treating animals. By holding those allegedly responsible accountable, we can protect both animals and our community’s educational standards.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Krysten Merriman
