PETA is so known for their dramatics that it is hard to even take them seriously anymore. From the ridiculous ads to lawyers bullying companies to remove a truthful exposé, they leave their message behind and only care about the money behind their antics. If they truly cared for the animals, they would put their money to good use instead of using it on a billboard to increase the drama of an accident.
Unfortunately, humans are not perfect. On Feb. 11, a semi pulling a livestock trailer full of cattle got in an accident near Devils Lake, North Dakota. The semi was driving in a snow fog, was passed by another truck trailer, leaving the semi in a cloud of snow, according to KVRR local news.
The semi ran off the road and crashed, killing 16 of the 80 livestock that was headed to a Devils Lake sale barn. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association assisted at the scene to ensure minimal loss. What would have been told as a tragic accident highlighting the association stepping up to help to ensure safety of those involved, is now getting a negative spin on the story.
In a press release, PETA said, “In honor of the 16 cows who suffered and died when a truck carrying them overturned on U.S. Highway 2 on February 11, PETA plans to place a billboard near the crash site—about 3 miles west of Devils Lake—showing a cow’s face next to the words “I’m ME, Not MEAT. See the Individual. Go Vegan.”
“More than a dozen gentle cows died in this wreck, and those who survived will presumably end up under the slaughterhouse knife,” said PETA Director Danielle Katz in the news release. “PETA hopes to pay tribute to their short lives with a billboard urging people to help prevent future suffering by keeping cows and all other animals off their plate.”
Although not surprising, PETA is taking the time and money to exploit the accident and use it for their gain. Accidents happen everyday, it doesn’t mean we have to stop driving. We hate to see what happened in North Dakota, but also disappointed that PETA is trying to capitalize on an accident.
