Two high school boys swallowed goldfish at a school assembly, which is infuriating local animal rights groups.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are urging Federal Way Public Schools to adopt a district-wide policy prohibiting the use of animals in school functions.

"We feel certain you'll agree that killing fish in the name of school spirit is unacceptable," wrote Jennifer O'Connor, an official with the Norfolk, VA-based group.

School district spokeswoman Diane Turner says that, "these are good kids who made bad decisions."

She continues, "what they did was not appropriate. We used it as a teaching moment."