‘No More Chickens in Fraternities,’ peta2 Appeals After Bird’s Death

PETA’s Youth Division Calls for Chicken Killers’ Expulsions, Greek-Life Organizations to Be Prohibited From Keeping Farmed Animals

For Immediate Release:
December 12, 2014

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Three University of Vermont (UVM) students have reportedly been cited for stealing a chicken kept on a fraternity’s property, killing the animal, and eating the chicken’s body, prompting peta2, PETA’s youth division, to fire off a letter this morning calling on UVM to expel the students. peta2—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat … or abuse in any other way”—is also asking UVM officials to implement a policy banning school-affiliated Greek-life organizations from owning typically farmed animals such as chickens and sheep.

“Like all animals, chickens are individuals with very specific needs that simply can’t be met by busy students who are already juggling classes, work, and a social life,” says peta2 Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “These animals don’t belong in fraternities, and peta2 is asking the University of Vermont to show that cruelty to animals doesn’t belong on campus, either, by expelling the students who allegedly killed and ate this chicken.”

For more information, please visit peta2.com.

peta2’s letter to University of Vermont President E. Thomas Sullivan follows.

December 12, 2014

E. Thomas Sullivan, J.D.
President
University of Vermont

Dear Mr. Sullivan:

I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 3 million members and supporters, including those who live in Vermont, in response to news that three University of Vermont students—Cameron Dube, Darien Newman, and Hannah Jackman—were cited in court for stealing and killing a chicken from the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, which often keeps farmed animals on its property. Dube was reportedly also cited for cruelty to animals for his role in the killing of the chicken.

Cruelty to animals should be taken seriously, and I hope the university will send the message that bullying and abusing anyone is unacceptable. I urge you to expel the students who stole, killed, and ate the chicken.

I hope you will also prohibit Greek-life organizations from keeping animals other than dogs and cats to prevent such incidents from happening again. It’s inappropriate to keep chickens and other farmed animals in a frat-house setting. These animals have unique needs that cannot be met by students with busy schedules. Chickens, for example, are social animals who live in family groups, care for one another, and mourn when they lose a loved one. Mother hens even “talk” to their chicks by clucking gently to them while they’re still in the shell. The chicks chirp back and to each other. Studies show that these smart birds can anticipate the future and demonstrate self-control—something I can’t say for everyone.

I hope you will show students that the University of Vermont doesn’t tolerate animal abuse or other unlawful actions. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Marta Holmberg
Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns