PETA requests roadside memorial after chickens killed in truck accident on South Eastern Freeway
Should chickens killed on the South Eastern Freeway be recognised with a roadside tombstone? Animal rights group PETA has called for the memorial. VOTE IN OUR POLL.
Adelaide Hills
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South Australia could become the first state to introduce a public memorial for animals killed on public roads.
Animal rights organisation PETA has written to the state’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport, asking for approval to erect a roadside tombstone memorial for chickens killed on the South Eastern Freeway.
The request follows two separate incidents between March and August this year, where more than 5000 chickens were killed.
The most recent incident was on August 24, when police were called to a truck fire on the South Easter Freeway near Mount Barker.
About 4200 chickens died in the blaze or were later euthanased as many suffered respiratory issues as a result of smoke inhalation.
A further 1000 chickens also died just outside Crafers in March, while a truck fire claimed the lives of several chicken on the Northern Expressway in October last year.
PETA spokeswoman Aleesha Naxakis said the memorial – hoped to be erected at the latest crash site – would feature an image of a chicken next to the words: “In Memory of the Chickens Who Suffered and Died at This Spot. Try Vegan”.
She said the tribute would be the first of its kind in Australia.
“We think that this would let people know that the best way to prevent incidents such as this one is to go vegan, which would help eliminate the terrifying trips to abattoirs chickens are forced to make,” she said.
“Animals raised and killed for food suffer from the day they’re born until the day they’re loaded onto trucks for the terrifying journey to the abattoir, where their throats are cut – sometimes while they’re still conscious.
“We hope our memorial will prompt people not to eat animals or – at the absolute least – remind truck drivers to make their transport to slaughter as safe and comfortable as possible.”
A State Government spokeswoman said the department would issue a statement to PETA in due cause.
“The department has received correspondence from PETA requesting a roadside memorial in relation to this incident (and) a response … will be prepared by the department,” she said.
“Any roadside monument containing organisational branding would generally be considered an advertising sign rather than a memorial, and would therefore likely require development approval from the local council.”
Both Adelaide Hills and Mount Barker councils were unavailable for comment.