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Freedom science teacher cited in gerbil deaths

Staff file photo (2002)

Animal Services has cited Margaret Barthel, the head of the school's science department, with animal cruelty.

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 18, 2009

TAMPA - They starved to death in cramped cages after being deprived of food and water for weeks, some forced to eat the flesh of others that had perished from malnutrition.

Over the summer, the bodies of nine gerbils were found by Hillsborough County Animal Services in cages in a science classroom at Freedom High School in New Tampa.

Tampa police detectives investigated and found no criminal wrongdoing. But Animal Services has cited Margaret Barthel, the head of the school's science department, with animal cruelty.

School district officials say they found no evidence Barthel intentionally let the gerbils die, and also say she has never been disciplined for misconduct in her years with the district.

Still, representatives for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals say the deaths are a clear case of animal cruelty and are calling on the district to ban the use of all animals in classrooms.

"It shows a complete disregard for the well-being of these animals," said Justin Goodman, a PETA spokesman in Washington.

Goodman said teachers and other staff members reported the incident to authorities.

School district spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said Barthel had gone out of town and left the gerbils under the supervision of another employee, who didn't take care of them.

"It's unfortunate, but there was no criminal intent," Cobbe said. "She is a good teacher."

Barthel is scheduled for an Oct. 9 hearing in county court.

According to a police report, several Freedom High teachers said Barthel had a history of neglecting animals, including several finches that allegedly died in their cages, a ball python that died after being deprived of heat and frogs dissected alive by her students.

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

"The gerbils were breeding so rapidly that they were eating their young and being born deformed," police Officer Stephen Hiles wrote in his report. "We were not able to determine the exact number of animals because they had cannibalized each other."

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

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