In response to the Alligator article "College Republicans hold 'PETA Barbecue'" that ran on Wednesday, it was surprising to read that members of the student group claimed that "loving animals does not exclude you from eating meat." I surely hope they don't love the dogs they share their homes with the same way they "love" the pigs and chickens they served on the Plaza of the Americas.
Most people on both sides of the political aisle are horrified to discover that animals raised and killed for food are treated in ways that could warrant felony cruelty-to-animals charges if cats or dogs were the victims. Chickens often have their beaks cut off without any painkillers, and cows and pigs are skinned and dismembered, often while still conscious. This kind of abuse is standard in an industry that refuses to make even the most basic changes in the way that animals are treated.
At PETA, we do not believe that cruelty to animals is a partisan issue, but if the College Republicans feel strongly that torturing animals for our meals is acceptable, we would be happy to have that discussion. If the College Republicans are willing, we would gladly participate in an on-campus debate, at a time of their choosing, to allow UF students to hear both sides.
