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No animals in teacher's class

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 14, 2009

A Freedom High School science teacher has agreed to keep animals out of her classroom after nine dead gerbils were found there over the summer.

At a hearing today, Margaret Barthel also agreed to permanently relinquish her ball python to Hillsborough County Animal Services.

Barthel, the head of Freedom High School's science department, was given five citations of animal cruelty by Animal Services for reportedly failing to provide adequate care for the gerbils and a python for two weeks in July, according to court documents.

"No policies have changed, but I'm sure teachers who are keeping animals in their rooms are much more careful," Hillsborough County Schools spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said.

Protesters from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals stood outside the Hillsborough County Courthouse holding signs such as "Classrooms are for students, not animals" and "Max fines for cruel crimes" tried to get people's attention before Barthel's hearing.

"This is just an example of what can go wrong when animals are kept in a classroom," said PETA campaign coordinator Amanda Fortino, who organized the rally. "We have the responsibility to give them protection and respect."

Tampa police detectives investigated and found no criminal wrongdoing on Barthel's part.

The conditions in the gerbil cages were deplorable, according to investigators, who were told of overcrowded cages, inadequate food and unchecked breeding practices.

School officials said in 10 years with the district, Barthel has never been disciplined for misconduct.

The school district's Office of Professional Standards still has an investigation open into the animals' deaths, and it's not yet known whether the case's outcome will affect Barthel's status as head of the science department, Cobbe said.
Barthel agreed to pay $1,000 for the snake's care since the county seized the reptile in July and donate $500 to Animal Services.

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