New Name for Britain’s Oldest Pub? PETA Pushes for ‘Ye Olde Clever Cocks’

Animal Rights Group Wants Eighth Century Pub to Reflect Today’s Compassion for Animals

St Albans, Herts – Since it was founded in the eighth century, Britain’s oldest pub has had many names – but since 1872, the St Albans establishment has been known as Ye Olde Fighting Cocks because of its history of cockfighting, a blood sport that has been illegal in the UK since the 1800s. But in a letter sent to the pub this morning, PETA suggest updating its name one more time to Ye Olde Clever Cocks – in recognition of society’s growing compassion for animals and in celebration of intelligent, sensitive chickens. A photo of PETA’s proposed new logo is available here.

“Today, kind people are appalled by the thought of forcing birds to fight to the death, and more people than ever are making the compassionate choice not to eat chickens, either”, says PETA Director Mimi Bekhechi. “Changing the name of Britain’s oldest pub to Ye Olde Clever Cocks would reflect today’s rejection of needless violence and help celebrate chickens as the intelligent, sensitive and social animals they are.”

In its letter, PETA notes that chickens have unique personalities and sophisticated social behaviour. They mourn when they lose a loved one, have distinct vocalisations that they use to communicate with each other, and woo one another through elaborate mating dances. But chickens raised and killed for food spend their lives inside cramped cages or sheds, and many have their throats slit when they’re still conscious and able to feel pain.

That’s why PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat or to abuse in any other way” – is also offering to supply the establishment with enough animal-free mock chicken to feed a hungry pub crowd and, as the group writes, “give everyone the taste of chicken without any of the cruelty and killing”. The group concludes its letter by saying, “When it comes to chickens, be a lover, not a fighter – go faux, not foe!”

PETA’s letter to the pub can be viewed here.