NORTH TEXAS TEACHER APOLOGIZES FOR FEEDING LIVE KITTEN TO SNAKE IN CLASSROOM

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

 

North Texas teacher apologizes for feeding live kitten to snake in classroom

By Lillie Davidson

Updated September 26, 2025 3:59 PM

 

A North Texas high school teacher fed an “ailing” live kitten to a snake in her classroom but did not do it in front of students, according to a message Alvord ISD sent to families in the district.

 

Alvord ISD Superintendent Randy Brown released the statement after a parent made a complaint to the school district, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and Wise County animal control investigators.

 

After an investigation by law enforcement and the county attorney’s office, no criminal charges were filed, Brown wrote. He said the matter was referred back to the district for administrative action, and limited details can be released because it’s a personnel issue.

 

The Alvord High School science teacher, who had told her students about feeding the sick kitten to the snake, gave three other kittens to a student who was distraught about the incident. Those kittens died after the student took them home, according to her mother and school officials.

 

The teacher, who is “an experienced educator and animal lover,” has since apologized to her students and removed all snakes from her classroom, Brown said.

 

A parent, who asked not to be identified, told the Star-Telegram her daughter texted her on Sept. 3 and asked if she could bring three kittens home from school.

 

When the mother asked why, the student explained the week-old kittens had been in the classroom with the teacher’s snakes. The student told her mother some of her friends, who took the class earlier in the day, said they had watched a snake eat the kitten. However, school officials say the incident occurred in the morning before classes started and that no students were present.

 

According to the mother, the teacher told the student she could take the other kittens home, but said she had another pregnant cat and alluded to her intention to feed more kittens to the snake.

 

The teacher told the student she left one kitten at home with the mother cat because “the last time I did this, the mom cried at our back door all night,” the parent said.

 

After the parent called the animal rights group, PETA sent a letter Tuesday to Superintendent Brown, according to a news release.

 

“If the report is true, we have sustained concerns about (the teacher’s) ability to care for animals, both inside and outside of the classroom,” the letter reads. PETA officials suggested the educator may have violated a provision in the Texas state code of ethics that prevents teachers from endangering students’ health and safety.

 

PETA officials asked the superintendent to ban all live animals in classrooms, according to the letter.

 

When the kittens came home with the student, she bottle-fed them for two weeks before they died, the parent said.

 

“It was really hard on her — she was up every two hours trying to feed them,” the mother said. “A couple days later, the teacher is saying, ‘Thanks to whoever turned me in,’ and trying to justify it.”

 

Superintendent Brown told the Star-Telegram via email that the Alvord ISD Police Department and Alvord ISD administration immediately investigated the parent’s report.

 

“While the District cannot discuss personnel matters, the District takes all reports of misconduct seriously and is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all students,” Brown said.

 

This story was originally published September 26, 2025 at 3:43 PM.