PETA Has Beef With Cows-As-Art

June 3, 2000

Friday May 19 10:40 AM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Animal rights group PETA is fighting for the rights of a

new endangered species -- a fiberglass cow covered with vegetarian slogans.

The organization known for its guerrilla tactics against fur wearers said on

Thursday the organizers of " CowParade New York 2000, " an upcoming art

installation of hundreds of fiberglass cows to be displayed throughout the city,

had refused to exhibit the anti-carnivore cow.

In a letter to CowParade New York 2000, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment

of Animals) said it had entered a $15,000 contract to sponsor two cows, and gave

the organizers a deadline of May 22 to change their minds.

PETA's cow was rejected for being " graphic and profane " or " inappropriate, " it

said.

The cow in question was painted like a butcher's shop cow poster, but with each

section of the cow linking beef consumption with heart attacks, cancer and even

impotence.

Slogans on the cow sculpture included: " Eating meat causes impotence, because it

blocks the arteries to all vital organs, including the penis " , and: " Cattle are

castrated and dehorned without anesthesia. "

PETA said it would not be cowed, and was giving the organizers " one last

opportunity " to reconsider. If they refused, PETA said it would pursue legal

action and seek an injunction.

A spokesman for the CowParade responded: " PETA had indicated as of Wednesday

that it understood the overall positive message of CowParade and that the

language in its other cow design was inappropriate for a public art display

which will be viewed by millions of families. This latest development is

surprising and unfortunate. "

The other PETA-sponsored cow was covered with fake leather materials ranging

from clothing to accessories, and urged consumers to substitute leather with

man-made materials.

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