WASHINGTON — The HSUS says that a new Burger King promotion,
pitting two people dressed as chickens against each other in a
fighting ring, is a loser. The organization, representing over
eight million members and constituents – one out of every 40
Americans – is calling on the company to pull its “chicken
fight” advertisement because it makes light of the barbaric and
widespread practice of cockfighting. The HSUS has urged Burger
King to make a public pronouncement condemning cockfighting and
to pull the spot. The promotion is scheduled to culminate in a
mock fight on satellite television November 5.
According to Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO,
“Whatever the intent of this promotion, the effect is to make
light of chicken fighting. Cockfighting, which is illegal in 48
states, is a disgraceful practice not only involving animal
cruelty, but drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and
human-on-human violence.”
The HSUS is leading the effort to eliminate animal fighting
throughout the United States and to increase penalties for
participants. “Cockfighting is a brutal and bloody business
that kills and maims thousands of animals every year,” noted
Pacelle.
The HSUS is also engaged at the federal level in an effort
to pass the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act. The
bill, if passed and signed into law, would not only make the
interstate and foreign shipment of fighting animals a felony
crime, but would also ban the interstate and foreign commerce
of razor-sharp knives and ice-pick-like gaffs that cockfighters
strap onto birds' legs to ensure bloodier battles.
In a letter to Burger King Chief Executive Officer Greg
Brenneman, Pacelle acknowledged the animal friendly steps the
corporation has taken in adopting standards for its suppliers.
However, Pacelle states: “the “chicken fight” commercial, in
name and appearance, promotes cockfighting -- one of the most
base and barbaric abuses of animals. We urge Burger King to
adhere to the compassionate spirit of your corporate policy by
refusing to endorse cockfighting in this recent ad campaign.”
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s
largest animal protection organization with more than eight
million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream
voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals
and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals
in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The
HSUS protects all animals through legislation, litigation,
investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The
non-profit organization, which is celebrating its 50th
anniversary in 2004, is based in Washington , DC and has 10
regional offices across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org
.
