HOUSTON (KTRK/CNN) - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling on a Texas school district to put an end to their Future Farmers of America program after a student was charged with shooting his pig at the school's agricultural sciences facility.
KATY Independent School District has one of the largest programs in the country.
Last week, a 17-year-old student identified as Jacob Samuel Mullins shot his pig at a barn as he was preparing to take it to a processing facility.
Mullins is charged with felony possession of a firearm, and because of that, the school program is getting unwelcome attention.
PETA sent a news release urging the school to remove animals from its program and prevent further acts of violence by teaching students to have respect for all living beings.
PETA asked the school district superintendent Lance Hindt to implement humane education in all schools.
"It should be noted that there are thousands of dedicated students enrolled in high school Ag sciences programs across Texas and the country,” said Hindt in response. “These invaluable education experiences serve as excellent training grounds for our nation's next generation of farmers, engineers, scientists, veterinarians and a host of fields that provide agriculture, food and natural resources for millions of American citizens on a daily basis."
Mullins has been removed from the FFA program and is facing other disciplinary action by the district.
He was released on a $10,000 bond.
Copyright 2018 KTRK via CNN. All rights reserved.
