Matt Lauer in New Controversy: PETA Calls on Ex-TV Host to Ditch Involvement in Sheep Farming Business
For Immediate Release:
December 30, 2024
Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382
A damning new PETA Asia-Pacific undercover investigation into sheep farms in New Zealand reveals farm workers at a property owned by former TV host Matt Lauer stepping on a thrashing sheep’s neck, dragging sheep across the floor, sewing up a sheep’s bloody wound without any painkillers, and other atrocities. Lauer reportedly sold his home in the Hamptons in 2022 to spend more time at Hunter Valley Station and has reportedly invested at least $1.6 million into the farm that houses a major sheep shearing operation. Now, PETA Asia-Pacific’s investigation into the Lauer property and 10 other farms that produce ZQ-certified wool—which is sold by Allbirds, Fjällräven, Smartwool, Loro Piana, Helly Hansen, among others and claims to be “the world’s leading ethical wool brand”—reveals systemic abuse, incredibly rough handling, and callous shearing practices that harm sheep on every farm. Video footage is available here.
Reportedly, when Lauer bought the property, he also pledged to invest at least $400,000 more to increase the number of animals or “stock” at the farm. PETA has fired off a letter to Lauer calling on him to take immediate action to end sheep farming cruelty on his property.
“Matt Lauer’s New Zealand getaway is hell for scared sheep who are flung about, pinned down, and cut up,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA wants Lauer to wash his hands of the bloody wool business—and asks that anyone upset by the cruelty we have uncovered in the sheep sheds choose only vegan materials.”
PETA Asia-Pacific’s investigators also found workers on the farms they visited whipping, manhandling, and hitting sheep with objects, including a metal-tipped pole. One shearer repeatedly slammed a sheep’s head against a hard wooden board while hurling expletive-laden threats at her. A sheep was smothered to death after being forced into a severely crowded enclosure—and her wool was still shorn. Dead sheep were observed strewn around the farms.
PETA entities have found evidence of rampant abuse on over 150 wool operations in seven countries on four continents. Studies show that sheep grow depressed if isolated from their flock and can even detect anxiety in another sheep simply by observing their face.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to wear”—points out thatEvery Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
