PETA wants to turn Va. prison into chicken museum

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The Associated Press
© September 15, 2009

TROUTVILLE

An animal rights group wants to rent a prison building the state plans to close and turn it into the nation's first chicken empathy museum.

A People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals official sent a letter Monday to Gov. Tim Kaine asking to rent the Botetourt Correctional Center building in Troutville.

Kaine spokeswoman Lynda Tran says the state doesn't lease to private entities except for cases grandfathered in when it purchases buildings.

PETA spokeswoman Ashley Byrne says the Norfolk-based group thinks a former prison is the ideal setting for exhibits on what it contends is mistreatment of chickens raised for slaughter.

Reiman says the museum also would have displays detailing chickens' habits and intelligence.

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Just Ignore Them

Submitted by Bob Farinelli on Wed, 09/16/2009 at 9:25 pm.

Given the history of PETA how does this surprise anyone. They are addicted to the attention that these sort of stories gets them. The best thing to do with these clowns is to ignore them.

Instead of letting this become news...

Submitted by elsie-eye on Wed, 09/16/2009 at 10:43 am.

...why don't these property owners just tell PETA "yes" and lock them into a lease. We all know they have no intentions of creating chicken or cow empathy museums.

PETA

Submitted by water rescue on Wed, 09/16/2009 at 5:42 am.

It amazes me every year that PETA comes up with something that is amuzing and somewhat comical in thinking. First off in reading the comments that are below, it makes me wonder, what is the purpose of PETA? Don't get me wrong, I believe animals should be treated in a humane matter, but there comes a point in time when you have to ask PETA, what the hell you thinking!? Chickens are in the natural order of any healty meat eaters diet. If Fish, cows, chicken, deer and other creatures were not meant to be eaten, they never would have been. You cant change the past and you certainly cant change history. Oh and by the way, they just announced the prison closings a week ago, so thanks for the sensitivity towards the staff there that are for the most part up-rooting their lives and having to find new homes. There are employees that have been there over 25 years and are still getting over the shock of losing thier careers. Thanks PETA. Maybe you should donate some money to help in the relocation of the 125 staff members that have to relocate. One last thing. To add to the accronym... PETA- People Eating Tasty Animals.

The Reason It's Newsworthy...

Submitted by rcamp on Tue, 09/15/2009 at 5:58 pm.

...To the commenters wondering why this is newsworthy, it's because 1)PETA is, as one writer noted, a locally-based organization that frequently issues press releases, and 2)The Pilot is on a tight budget, with fewer staff resources, and will accept just about any press release that comes along in lieu of having staff go out and develop enterprise stories. A sad commentary on the state of journalism.

It is a truly a shame

Submitted by Len Rothman on Tue, 09/15/2009 at 3:00 pm.

that PETA, who has opened our eyes to the horrible conditions of factory farms, puppy mills, inhumane treatment of lab animals and the case for neutering/spaying has to, time and again, open itself up to ridicule.

Vegetarians or not, humane treatment of animals has reached a new low since Sinclair Lewis wrote "The Jungle" about meat packing plant abuses at the early part of the last century.

Animal abuse is not to be taken lightly. Nor need it be taken to the other extreme.

But PETA's constant antics and publicity stunts make them much less effective in convincing people to lobby for better treatment of animals.

peta

Submitted by cs on Tue, 09/15/2009 at 9:34 pm.

Asise from their antics detracting from their message, I have a real problem with their ultimate goal, namely to make everyone a vegetarian. Sorry, I have canines and I quite enjoy using them from time to time.

REMEMBER THE NORTH CAROLINA DEATH VAN???

Submitted by lw on Tue, 09/15/2009 at 1:39 pm.

What PETA really stands for....People Euthanizing Transported Animals.

the sad thing is...

Submitted by laura eichbaum on Tue, 09/15/2009 at 1:07 pm.

Here is an organization that is taking people's money under the auspices of helping animals and they want to squander it on a chicken museum! Think of all the good it could do in a constructive way and these wackos want to take a prison and turn it into a museum. How about an initiative to stop dog fighting instead.

And don't forget these far leftists are paying no taxes and contribute nothing back to the Hampton Roads community. If Barrack wants to tax the wealthy here is a good place to start.

Chicken House

Submitted by Eric Kaiser on Tue, 09/15/2009 at 12:52 pm.

PETA has come up with some good ones in the past but I think this one takes 1st Place. Maybe they should consider Eastern Shore for their attraction. I'm quite certain that residents of Virginia and Maryland that work in the chicken processing plants would greatly appreciate it. Get a life PETA!