A high school teacher in Texas made her students perform makeshift surgery on her cat as it screamed in pain.
Emily Marie Benner, 25, an agriculture teacher in Palestine, about 110 miles southeast of Dallas, instructed her students to staple shut her cat’s open wound while the animal was fully awake.
The disturbing incident, which happened on Friday during class, was captured on video.
Benner was arrested on Sunday charged with animal cruelty to non-livestock.
The blonde teacher was seen smiling in her mugshot at the Anderson County Jail. She was released the same day after she posted the $7,500 bond.
Emily Marie Brenner was arrested on Sunday and charged with animal cruelty
Video captured the cat being held down after the students were instructed by Benner to do so
The graphic video starts with Benner instructing her students to each grab the cat and lay it down on the metal table, despite the animal’s resistance.
The students reportedly held the cat down and were instructed to turn it on its back and staple the incision – all as the cat wailed in pain.
After the henious act, the students were heard cheering.
According to CBS 19, the cat is now under the care of a local veterinarian
Superintendent Wade Standford issued a letter to parents, students and the community on Monday that he was made aware of the ‘deeply troubling incident’ and that it wouldn’t happen again.
The letter did not mention Benner by name, KTLV reported.
Westwood High School is located in Palestine, about 110 miles from Dallas
‘This behavior is not in line with the values and standards we uphold within our district, and we are committed to taking immediate and decisive action to address this issue,’ Stanford said.
Benner received her Texas Educator Certificate in June 2022, and is certified to teach agriculture, food and natural resources for sixth through 12th grade.
As of Monday, Benner’s photo and bio were no longer up on the school’s website. It is unclear if she is still employed at the school.
A school representative said that the investigation is ongoing, the The New York Post reported.
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