Sexy "Chickette" Brings International Protest of KFC to Tucson

PETAs Feathered Beauty Plans "Raid" on Tucson KFC

Tucson, AZ (PRWEB) January 25, 2004 --Dressed in a showgirl-style chicken costume-complete with a faux-feather headdress-and waving a sign that reads, "KFC Tortures Chicks," and, "Boycott KFC," as she shows shocking undercover video footage of chickens suffering, PETAs sexy "Chickette," joined by a giant "chicken," will protest KFCs cruel treatment of chickens at a Tucson KFC on Monday. The protest is part of an international campaign launched by PETA after nearly two years of failed negotiations with KFC:

Date: Monday, January 26
Time: 12 noon-1 p.m.
Place: KFC, 2910 E. Speedway Blvd.

PETA attempted to work with KFCs parent company, Yum! Brands, for almost two years prior to the launch of the campaign, but despite assurances made long ago by Senior Vice President Jonathan Blum that KFC would "raise the bar" on animal welfare, the company refuses to eliminate the worst abuses. Jason Alexander, Seinfeld star and ex-KFC pitchman, had his contract with KFC canceled after PETA enlisted him to speak to company execs about the suffering of chickens.

The campaign follows victories over McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendys-all of which bowed to PETA pressure to reduce the cruel treatment of animals raised and slaughtered for food. PETA has also filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court, accusing KFC of making false statements with regard to its animal-welfare practices.

Among the improvements that PETA wants KFC to implement are the following: replacing crude and ineffective electric stunning and throat-slitting with gas killing; phasing out the forced rapid growth of chickens, which causes metabolic disorders and lameness; adding minimal enhancements, such as sheltered areas and perches; and implementing automated chicken-catching, a process that reduces the high incidence of bruising, broken bones, and stress associated with catching the birds by hand. PETAs recommended improvements are all approved by members of KFCs own animal-welfare advisory panel and are based on the latest available scientific research.

"KFC stands for cruelty in our book," says PETA Director of Vegan Outreach Bruce Friedrich. "McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendys responded to consumer pressure, and KFC would do well to follow their lead."

Protests are planned in cities throughout the world and have already begun across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. For more information, please visit KFCCruelty.com.