I just can't, I'm sorry, I can't do it anymore

[Catayn]

Last night a student told, loud and clear, to anyone who could hear, that he and his brother-in-law had killed a cat with lots of cruelty. And oh, yes, he made the favor to tell us all the details.
I thought he was lieing at first, because he's always said he hates cats and he knows I love them!
He kept picking on my with this story during class and I couldn't take it anymore. My blood pressure was gone and I fainted in the middle of my explanation.
They cancelled the class and, when I was feeling better, I called the police. They went there, arrested him because the cats' corpse was still there as evidence, and he was sentenced to pay a fine. Wow...what a punishment.
Anyway, he called my school, yelling at my boss telling me what I had done. My boss wanted to kill me and asked what I had in mind! I said I had made the call to the police but nobody could ever prove it because he just confessed among many, many people during break.
He had the courage to come to class today and kept picking on me all night, saying he was going to kill my cats even worse than what he did to the other cat.
I have just talked to my boss saying that I just can't keep on with this and I do not want to have him in my class anymore, if she could find a teacher to change places with me. She said that if I can't handle it, then I'd better find another job! I cannot leave my job, but I just cannot deal with this man anymore. What do you think I should do? I'm shaking, trhis is messing with my nerves!

[luvmypiggie]

O my gosh!!! I can not believe that your boss is being like that! I would have personally done the same thing, I would have called the cops and also I would notify them again about your boss standing by and not dealing with a situation involving harrasment! Which is exactly what that boy is doing to you!! That is a crime!!! I hope that you can some how get this person out of your class, and the matter solved! And that poor little kitty, I could only imagine what he could have done! Thats just so sad!!!

[JD In Van]

Cruelty to animals is actually an early sign of very very very serious mental disorders including personality disorders most lay people would call sociopathy or psychopathy. I hope that the police take the call very seriously and that mental health proffessionals look into the case.

[Sugar&Ellie]

Like a big brother does to his little sister, he is trying to get a rise out of you and he's getting what he set out to do. This doesnt justify what he did and I believe he is on the path to killing a human being but if you cannot leave your job and you're the only person that's on your side, you have to keep your cool. Talking to people that support you and understanding that you are the bigger person is a great start. Once he realizes that he's not getting a rise out of you he will start to ignore you.

What you did was right, although he only got a small charge for killing an animal he is still being punished because of you and if that's how far the law where you live will take it and there's not much else you can do (besides rallying, allerting animal rights activits and fighting for the animal's rights) then you need to carry on with your class for the sake of your health and the sake for the rest of your students and/or classmates.

People like this will arise in your life all the time and its a fact of life and all you can do is push through it and become a stronger person from it. Although it seems hard everyone has an inner will and I believe you can use yours to defeat this man.
Everytime he tries to pick on you, do not let it get to you. Don't give him what he wants. I'm sure you can think of ways to ignore him because everyone has ignored someone in their lives.

[Cold Sandstorm]

I am very sorry that happened to you. I would of been extremely angry with both the boss and that guy as well. I think you did the right thing about calling the police. But like it has been said there isn't anything more you can do, dear. Just try as best you can to ignore him, and just finish that class. I just hope that jerk doesn't do that ever again to a poor animal. Though, at least you know you did the right thing. Which is good.

[foggycreekcavy]

I don't know what your work situation is, but by continuing to let this person stay in your class and talk to you that way, your boss is wrong. Do you belong to a union you can talk to? Someone higher up than your boss?

You have a right to have a safe work environment.

[leyley904]

Thats terrible! But this part confuses me:

Anyway, he called my school, yelling at my boss telling me what I had done. My boss wanted to kill me and asked what I had in mind! I said I had made the call to the police but nobody could ever prove it because he just confessed among many, many people during break.
He had the courage to come to class today and kept picking on me all night, saying he was going to kill my cats even worse than what he did to the other cat.

Who called the school? Is your boss yelling at you or is it the student or his brother in law? Which of them said they wanted to kill you??!! That's terrible and you should be careful around these people for sure! What do you mean by ' I said I had made the call to the police but nobody could ever prove it because he just confessed among many, many people during break.'?
Who came to your class and picked on you all night? Do you teach a night class? Definitely don't let them near your cats!

I'm sorry this happened to you! If you could clear those few things up for me that would be great!

Also, I thought you taught young kids? Didn't a young student of yours give you one of your guinea pigs? Maybe I just assumed that, but I can't think back to those detail now! :P

[piggy love]

How old was this student?

[scarlett]

Holy crap! What a terrible, evil person this jerk must be. If he has it in him to kill an animal so brutally, you must consider your own safety at this point. Document that your discussion with your boss. If possible, can you record/film his threats to you? It sounds like you have a legal case against him with his threats against you/your pets personally. Please be careful! Maybe a restraining order is needed? If this man hurts you or your property (car) you need to take action!

[Catayn]

He's 35 years old, middle age, white man, likes to hurt animals. I believe he fits profiles of many serial killers.
I talked to a cousin of mine today, he's a judge, he'll see if he can get a restraining order that will at least force him to stay away of my house.
I talked to another student, who is a lawyer and she told me it's a worker's right to be safe. I'll see if I can talk to the owner of the school tomorrow morning and ask for her help.
I wish I could, just one,make justice with my own hands...

[Tdchewy]

If I were you, I'd just avoid this person from now on. Don't talk or even look at him or pay any attention. I think someone else already said that the person is trying to get a rise out of you and you're giving him exactly what he wants by responding to him. Be Safe!

PS. You could always just get somebody to beat him up for you. (Kidding)

[Catayn]

Loved the idea!
Of course I wouldn't, but I can always imagine that.

[MapleOwl18]

If he's that old, I'd ask him if he enjoyed the recent visit of the police so much if he would like another for stalking.

Or ask your cousin if theres anything you can bring him up on charges for.

Intimidation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stalking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Basically you have to stand up to the guy or get him removed for harassment. I'd be tempted to ask if I had permision to record this class on tape, and weather he would like to repeat his comment.

Heck you could even start a policy of taping your class, to help be better teacher, or to help students who've missed. As long as you inform everyone that you are filming or recording I think you're allowed. Then if he does something like that again you have the tape.

[TallulahBear]

Do you teach at a college? I think most colleges have policies on harressment and bullying. What subject do you teach? Can you throw him out of class for disruption?

[Candy]

Call the police again. Not only is he harassing you, it is also a crime to harass a witness. Known here in Florida as tampering with a witness. It's also creating a hostile work envorionment for you. Report him. You don't have to live with being harrassed or bullied. You did the right thing and have no reason to suffer for it.

[Catayn]

Do you teach at a college? I think most colleges have policies on harressment and bullying. What subject do you teach? Can you throw him out of class for disruption?

No, I teach in a language school. I teach English and Portuguese.
I'll check those tips guys! Thank you so much!

[Lil Fella's Mom]

Wow, that is antisocial behavior. This isn't to be taken lightly. often this starts at an early age with hurting animals and escalates to killing people. Sociopaths are dangerous and have no empathy at all. I am not saying this man is a sociopath, but don't take his threats lightly. I would inform the police again, he has threatened you with killing your animals. Maybe you can get a restraining order and he will have to leave your class anyways.

[mekat]

I'm sorry you are going through this. For a 35 year old to act like that is beyond terrifying to me. Saying he is unbalanced would be putting it mildly and I am worried for you. I do love animals but I think people rate higher in importance so I am far more concerned for your welfare then your cats'. I would call the officer working the previous case and ask for advice. You also may have to decide ahead of time what is more important your sanity and safety or your job. I hope it doesn't come to that but just be mentally prepared to make a decision in case none of the other suggestions work.

Take care and stay safe,
Kathy

[piggy love]

I just can't believe a 35 year old would act like that. I aso love animals...so mucc that i refused to disect the frog in science this week! I just can't cut open an animal who did not deserve to die!

[Catayn]

I just can't believe a 35 year old would act like that. I aso love animals...so mucc that i refused to disect the frog in science this week! I just can't cut open an animal who did not deserve to die!

I almost flunked biology for doing the same when I was at school, but I could quickly think of an answer and told the teacher that my religion did not allow it. I don't follow any particular religion, but it worked.
After talking to my lawyer I saw there is not much I can do now, only if he does hurt my cats.
So, I had to do something I really didn't want to.
I have some friends, who are really big scary guys, jiu-jitsu fighters who walk their pit bulls everyday kind of guys. They are the sweetest people I know, but when you don't know them, you might fear them quite much. Well, I asked them to have a little chat with this student. Not hurt him, but gently talk to him.
I know they went to his house this morning, about the time he was going to work and they were supposed to say something like this:
"Well, you know, we've heard you've been annoying one of our friends with some cat story and we really did not appreciate that. You see, we care a lot about her and if she is not happy, we are not happy as well. I really don't think you want us to be sad with you, because we are such nice guys. So we were wondering that, since you don't care about her so much to stop harrassing her, we'd like to ask you to do it for us. We are quite sensitive about our friends' emotions and pets, you know? We really feel their pain. Got it pal?"
Nothing that could incriminate them, just a nice talk, between friends. I also advised them to record the conversation, in case they needed to prove they didn't threaten him at all. I believe it will work. I'll wait for them to call me. I have never seen anyone saying no to them.They tend to be very "persuasive".