A high school teacher in Texas had her students perform makeshift surgery on her cat because it was screaming in pain.
Emily Marie Benner, 25, an agriculture teacher in Palestine, about 110 miles (177 kilometers) southeast of Dallas, instructed her students to staple her cat’s open wound closed while the animal was fully awake.
The disturbing incident, which took place during class on Friday, was captured on video.
Benner was arrested Sunday on charges of animal cruelty other than livestock.
The blonde teacher was seen smiling in her arrest photo at the Anderson County Jail. She was released the same day after posting $7,500 bail.
Emily Marie Brenner was arrested Sunday and charged with animal cruelty
The video shows the cat being restrained after Benner ordered the students to do so
The graphic video starts with Benner instructs her students to grab the cat and place it on the metal table, despite the animal’s resistance.
According to reports, the students held the cat down and were instructed to turn it onto its back and staple the incision closed, all while the cat howled in pain.
After this gruesome act, there was cheering from the students.
According to CBS-19the cat is now under the care of a local vet
School principal Wade Stanford sent a letter to parents, students and the community on Monday saying he was aware of the “deeply disturbing incident” and would not allow it to happen again.
The letter did not mention Benner by name, KTLV reported.
Westwood High School is located in Palestine, approximately 110 miles from Dallas
“This behavior is inconsistent with the values and standards we uphold within our district. We are committed to taking immediate and decisive action to address this problem,” Stanford said.
Benner received her Texas Educator Certificate in June 2022 and is certified to teach agriculture, nutrition, and natural resources to students in grades 6 through 12.
As of Monday, Benner’s photo and biography were no longer on the school’s website. It is unclear whether she is still employed at the school.
A representative for the school said the investigation is still ongoing, This was reported by the New York Post.