Charges Dropped Against SCHS Teacher Charged in Cat Controversy

All charges are being dropped against the teacher at the center of last Fall’s controversy around procedures performed on two cats in a Stephens County High School class.

That is according to Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter Director Jeff Roberts, who says that other agencies, including the state, said they would not investigate the matter.

Stephens County High School Agriculture Teacher Daniel Hebert had been charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty in relation to the incident, in which he neutered, or castrated, two kittens in an Animal Science class at the high school.

Along with dropping all charges, Roberts and Hebert have released a joint statement after meeting together.

Both Roberts and Hebert said they apologize for the stress that resulted from the incident, which they say caused controversy and discord.

They also said they apologize that the issue caused individuals in the community to take sides.

The men said they have resolved their differences and both encourage the citizens of the county to accept the incident as a learning experience.

Hebert said that as a teacher, he has learned to be sensitive to the distinction that some people draw between farm animals and domestic animals.

Meanwhile, Roberts said he recognizes the good faith efforts of a high school teacher to educate students regarding all elements of animal breeding and care.

Both men said they encourage all residents to work together to support the animal shelter, provide financial aid to the shelter, volunteer to work at the shelter, and to support the education of students of agriculture at Stephens County High School.