HS players charged in chicken decapitations
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Two baseball players at Western Hills High School in Texas who are accused of killing baby chickens as part of a superstitious sacrifice are being charged with cruelty to livestock animals.
The case was turned over to the Tarrant County Juvenile Court, where a decision will be made on whether to prosecute the two players, Benbrook police Sgt. John Van Ness confirmed Thursday.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that a baby chick was decapitated March 17 behind the school’s baseball fields. Another chicken was also found decapitated March 18. Police said superstition about a slump in baseball performance could have played a part.
Van Ness told the Star-Telegram that charges are a felony punishable by 180 days to two years in jail and can include a fine up to $10,000. The two students are cooperating in the investigation, police say.
The two players were kicked off the team for the rest of the season.
PETA has offered assistance in setting up an animal-rights club at the school.
''Teaching students about animal issues helps prevent violence and helps students apply concepts of respect and kindness toward animals in their own lives,'' Elizabeth Graffeo, PETA's TeachKind program manager, wrote to Western Hills High School.
Western Hills High School baseball coach Bobby McIntire told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that ''baseball is very superstitious'' and that the players possibly got the idea from sports movies.
In the movies "Bull Durham" and "Major League," chicken sacrifices are used to help break players out of slumps. But in "Major League," a bucket of fried chicken is used, and nothing is shown on screen during "Bull Durham."
According to the Star-Telegram, this is the second incident this year involving chickens. Five students were disciplined at North Side High School for allegedly throwing baby chickens and live fish during a pep rally.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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