ORANGE CITY, Fla. — A 17-year-old University High School student is accused of biting the head off a chicken and egging the school gym.
WESH 2's Kelly Rippin sat down with the woman who donated the chickens.
"I feel bad for the kids. It really hurts the kids. They're working really hard to work about farming, learning where their food comes from. Taking care of the animals," said Beth Bechir, who donated the chickens to University High School.
A few weeks ago, Bechir of Triple B Ranch and Gardens donated baby chickens to the school to help with their agriculture, science and culinary arts program.
"The kids built the coop and they built the little pen. And they were really excited about having the chicks," Bechir said.
The students were raising chicks to maturity and would then get eggs from them for their classes.
"I couldn't believe it, honestly. It was such a fun event," Bechir said.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said he is having a hard time processing what happened, hours after the students held an event to show off their work.
"You know, when I first heard it, you're thinking, 'Nah. This is not normal. This is way out of the norm,'" Chitwood said.
The teen, along with others, allegedly broke into the chicken coop, collecting eggs to throw around campus.
The teen, who was arrested, is accused of taking it a step further: officials said he bit the head of one of the chickens, decapitating the creature, and watching it die.
"I think it's pretty sadistic and I think there's some psychological issues that need to be addressed here," Chitwood said.
"We are taking disciplinary action, but more importantly, we want to make sure the student is screened for behavioral/mental health issues," Volusia County school officials said in a statement.
"Thinking in a bigger picture, 10 or 20 years down the line, you know, most serial killers get their start by killing animals. That's where they hone their craft. Here, I'm thinking of a kid, even though he hasn't been in trouble, that's not a typical high school prank," Chitwood said.
The teen told deputies he has an anger management issue and violent tendencies.
He is charged with felony animal cruelty and trespassing.
The teen was released to his mother for the night, but must appear in court Wednesday morning.
