Don’t Watch stickers added to check in at peninsula butcher

The escalating actions of animal rights activists at a Victorian butchery are being described as “aggressive” by their potential victim.

Bells Quality Meats at Mount Martha has been targeted by vegan activists before. PIcture: Lucy Callander

Vegan activists are using fake QR codes to direct people to a website promoting a plant-based lifestyle.

The “aggressive, dangerous” and illegal act involves sticking false codes onto legitimate check in posters.

Mornington Peninsula butcher Gavin Kirkpatrick was hit by activists overnight on Saturday.

A postage-stamp sized sticker was placed on the Bells Quality Meats glass door directly in front of the legitimate QR code inside the Mount Martha shop.

“It’s such an aggressive and dangerous thing to do,” Mr Kirkpatrick said.

“We’re trying to keep people safe. But how can we do that if they can’t check in properly?”

Customer Carol Campbell discovered the hoax when trying to check in on Sunday morning.

“I always use the QR codes. I try to do the right thing,” she said.

“But this time, instead of going through to Services Victoria the code took me to another site.

“I didn’t click through. To be honest I was too scared.”

The sticker directed her to the Don’t Watch website.

The Leader is not suggesting Don’t Watch asked members to vandalise QR codes.

The group promotes a vegan lifestyle and features a call to action for people wanting to encourage others to adopt a plan based diet.

Followers are encourage to embrace “cheap and easy” forms of activism including writing chalk messages in high traffic areas and letter boxing neighbourhoods with the Don’t Watch logo.

Stickers and tshirts with the slogan ‘Cut fruit, not throats’ can be also be bought through the site.

Mr Kirkpatrick said it wasn’t the first time his business had been targeted by vegans.

“There was a lot of graffiti out the front a few years back,” he said.

“I understand people have different views but that doesn’t given them the right to force them on others.

“And they shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it. Imagine if they were targeting someone over their religious beliefs?”

The attack has not yet been reported to police.

Vandalising QR codes is a serious offence.

In April a South Australian man was charged and banned from a shopping centre after being caught tampering with QR codes at a green grocers.

Don’t Watch has been contacted.

Originally published as Don’t Watch stickers added to check in at peninsula butcher