ANIMAL welfare activists today bared almost all in a protest at the bearskin hats worn by Buckingham Palace Guards.
Wearing little more than fake bearskin caps and Union flags painted on their backsides, 21 members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Europe (Peta) performed a "21 bum salute" at Tower Bridge, London.
The protesters, holding a banner that read Bare Skin, Not Bear Skins, called on the Ministry of Defence to stop the killing of black bears for The Queen's Guards' ceremonial headwear. The hunt is about to get under way in Canada.
Peta claims some bears are shot several times before they die while others escape and bleed to death.
In the past five years, Peta says the MoD has spent more than £321,000 on ornamental bearskin hats and stalled the adoption of hats fashioned from fake fur.
Cruel
"There are no ifs, ands or buts about it, killing bears for ceremonial caps is needlessly cruel," said Peta's Anita Singh.
A spokesman for the MoD said: "The MoD does appreciate how strongly many people feel about this issue and remains keen to reduce the requirement for new caps where possible.
"Synthetic alternatives to real fur have been introduced where possible, such as the Busby cap used by the Royal Horse Artillery, but it is important that the material used is fit for purpose."
Comments
Login or Register to comment
You have to hand it to PETA they know how to get the public´s attention and this cause is a very serious one. The time for change has come. Faux fur looks just as good, even on the Guards!
The MOD dont care about animal pelts..and even less about our troops abroad,let alone our injured/disabled here,after years of honourable service..Sad,so sad for everyone that lives in a "civilized society".
Would PETA object if the bears died of old age?
Or if the bears were killed with a bolt gun, like the cows used to make my leather shoes?
My mate Arthur in Thailand.
has been protesting about this for years.If he should reach his 100th Birthday.Then he will use the telegramm for toilet paper.
"My mate Arthur in Thailand. has been protesting about this for years."
He should have come over here and got his bum out!
has anyone asked the Buckingham Palace Guards what they'd prefer their hats to be made out of?
Mauger: Having handled a centenarian card - they don't do telegrams now - I can tell you that your mate in thailand will be in a right mess after his protest. The card used has a china clay finish and is glossy and totally non-aborbent.