The Humane Society of Huron Valley is planning to expand its animal cruelty education programs to area high-risk youth after receiving a $44,000 grant.

The Humane Society’s Humane Education Department received the grant from the James A. and Faith Knight Foundation, which serves Jackson and Washtenaw counties in its support of non profit organizations working to address the needs of women, girls, animals and the natural world.

The education program provided by the Humane Society is an attempt to combat the cycle of cruelty against animals in Washtenaw County. Children often learn bad habits through poor role modeling at home and in their community, according to a news release from the organization.

Each year, the Humane Society of Huron Valley investigates about 500 animal cruelty reports, according to the organization.

The grant partly will be used to increase activities the Humane Society participates in at the Washtenaw County Juvenile Detention Center.

Currently, the Humane Society works with youth in the facility to teach them how to care for animals and to understand and respond to animal body language.

Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.