PETA Prods Lotto-Winning Rancher to Cash In on Kindness
Just last week, Neal Wanless, a 23-year-old rancher from Todd County, South Dakota—the seventh poorest county in the country—claimed a whopping $232.1 million Powerball prize in one of the biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history.
Now that he’s roped himself some serious coin, we’re asking him to spare a little change (career change, that is). We wrote to Neal asking him to put his family’s 320-acre ranch out to pasture and retire the remaining cattle, sheep, and horses to a sanctuary. We’re really hoping that Neal’s generosity is as big as his oversized check, cuz ranched animals get a seriously raw deal that can include neglect, mutilation, genetic manipulation, and drug regimens that cause chronic pain and crippling.
So Neal, here’s our appeal: Kick up your heels, go for bust in Branson, do Dollywood, buy a closet full of those two-toned Garth Brooks shirts—whatever—enjoy life—you deserve it. Just don’t forget about all those animals back at your ranch. They deserve to enjoy the rest of their lives too.
Written by Amy Elizabeth
