Jun10
Zoo Is Warned: Chrissie Hynde Is Sharpening Her Claws
Posted at 04:01 PM | Permalink
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When PETA pal Chrissie Hynde learned that the organizers of her band's summer tour included a date at the Weesner Amphitheater—which is located at the Minnesota Zoo—the staunch zoo opponent wasn't pleased.
Then she learned that animals from the Minnesota Zoo's petting zoo are routinely sent to livestock auctions.
Chrissie has never shied away from an opportunity to speak up for animals who are being exploited, so she fired off an e-mail to the zoo director, Lee Ehmke, in which she wrote:
"I am disappointed to learn that the zoo sells its petting zoo animals to slaughter at the end of the season. How can a zoo invite children to touch and play with and express joy over animals for their uniqueness, only to turn around and sell those very animals to slaughter?"
Well, the zoo didn't agree to stop shipping off once-petted goats and sheep to slaughter. Instead, it canceled Chrissie's show!
You better bet she'll have some choice words about it to share with Pretenders fans.
Posted by Karin Bennett
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Comments
Chrissie is in a class of her own!
Posted by: Darlene | June 10, 2009 05:50 PM
Thank you, Chrissie, for standing up for animals! Although I'm sorry that your show got canceled, I'm sure you would have done so yourself to prove a point! One day we will all look back on zoos as one of humanities big mistakes and future generations will wonder, "What the f*ck were they thinking!"
Posted by: Michael Essi | June 10, 2009 08:30 PM
Good for her. :)
What I don't get is the point of sending petting zoo animals to the livestock auctions. They are still alive and petable. So why just murder them? Its not like they are any less unpetable because they are old. :(
Posted by: Pepsi One is Fun | June 10, 2009 08:44 PM
There is only one Chrissie Hynde and she's been at the forefront of the animal rights movement for decades. This great vocalist and band leader has been good friends with fellow vegetarians Linda McCartney, Morrissey and Jeff Beck for years. Chrissie is also a very spiritual person evidenced by the fact that she fights for all God's creatures.
Posted by: Brien Comerford | June 10, 2009 09:07 PM
Right on, Chrissie! This is the beauty of someone like Chrissie who is big enough to sell out arenas, but who has a heart too big to compromise and buckle to people who just dont "get it" about animals...the zoo canceled the show? Big deal...the press surrounding this will send the clear message. Rock on, Chrissie!
Posted by: matt | June 10, 2009 09:37 PM
Wow, I have taken my kids to the Minnesota Zoo and never knew this. I have been there several times, since I live so close. If this is what they do to their animals I will never go there again. I can also remember going to the Como Zoo and seeing the polar bears walking back and forth in a dry pit, the other was swimming in a pool and would do repeatative back flips and swim all over again since the area was so small. The one polar bear had a bad sore on his back. How can they treat their animals like this?
Posted by: Denise | June 10, 2009 11:54 PM
I guess the truth hurt and instead of owning up to it they did the only thing they knew how. It really wasn't that much of a loss. The zoo, loser, Chrissie Hynde... priceless!!
Posted by: Carla | June 11, 2009 01:37 PM
Chrissie Hynde your supersonic! I will never forget you coming into my restaurant. Thanks for what you do.
Posted by: Phil Stewart | June 11, 2009 07:05 PM
Thanks Chrissie for defending all animals. You have reminded me that I need to contact our local animal park aka snctuary until slaughter park as well.
Thank you for your kind heart and strong will.
Ingrid
Posted by: Ingrid Griffith | June 12, 2009 04:37 AM
I wrote a paper for a Bio class in which I noted how creepy the petting Zoo attendants seemed, as they held the pelts of the animals in the cages for the children to touch. Now we know where they come from. Cruelty like this needs to be realized in a bigger form. Thanks for helping spread the message!
Posted by: Jackie Libis | June 13, 2009 03:44 PM