Groups Speak Out Against Using Animals at Olympic Opening Ceremony

When Danny Boyle announced that the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games would involve 12 horses, three cows, two goats, 10 chickens, 10 ducks, nine geese, 70 sheep and three sheepdogs, compassionate people around the country – and the world – were dismayed.

PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk immediately fired off a letter to Boyle explaining that the animals would be stressed and anxious when forced into an unfamiliar and frightening situation. All the bright lights, noisy crowds and fireworks would create a traumatic environment for the animals. Urging him to reconsider, we have offered all of PETA US’ Hollywood resources and links with studios that could create jaw-dropping animal animatronics such as the stunningly realistic animatronic lion featured in Ang Lee’s upcoming movie, The Life of Pi, to help make the ceremony both spectacular and animal-friendly.

Now PETA has also joined with the Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS), Animal Defenders International, Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), Viva!, Born Free Foundation and Animal Aid to urge the Olympic Committee members to reconsider. In the letter coordinated by CAPS, the groups emphasise how misleading this idyllic portrayal of farming in Britain would be when the overwhelming majority of farmed animals spend their brief lives on filthy and extremely crowded factory farms.

You can join PETA in appealing to the Olympic Committee to reconsider their use of animals by contacting [email protected]. Please copy your letter to [email protected].