Alleged cat killer had been encouraged to cut open cats in school
June 16th, 2009 by admin
On Saturday night, 18-year-old Tyler Weinman was arrested as a suspect in a spree of mutilation and killings of cats that has terrified residents in the Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay communities of Miami-Dade County since early May. At least 19 dead cats have been discovered. Many of the cats were found with their bellies cut open and their organs pulled out; other cats had been skinned.
In court yesterday it was revealed that Weinman had dissected cats during anatomy class last year at Palmetto Senior High School. According to a story in the Miami Herald, “Investigators…were mum on whether Weinman’s classroom training played a role in the teen’s alleged crime spree.”
Is it a coincidence that the suspect in the disturbing mutilation of cats had been encouraged to mutilate cats in school?
Important reminder: Students in Florida public schools (grades K-12) have the right to refuse to dissect on animals (Florida statute 1003.47). Please contact ARFF if you know of a school that has refused to provide students with an alternative to dissection, or that has penalized students for choosing a non-animal alternative.