uk Peta demands Britain's oldest pub changes its name to show 'compassion' for animals

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Peta demands Britain's oldest pub changes its name to show 'compassion' for animals

Animal rights group says Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans should update its name to Ye Olde Clever Cocks to reflect the change in society's attitudes

Britain's oldest pub is under to pressure to change its name - Ye Olde Fighting Cocks - from animal rights group Peta.

 

They say the eighth century boozer in St Albans, Hertfordshire, should be renamed to Ye Olde Clever Cocks to "reflect compassion for animals".

 

But regulars at the pub - listed as Britain's oldest by Guinness World Records - say the idea is "bonkers".

Since it was founded in the eighth century, the pub in Abbey Mill Lane has had many names, but since 1872 it has been called Ye Olde Fighting Cocks because of its history of cockfighting - a sport banned in the UK in the 1800s.

 

But in a letter sent to the pub on Monday, Peta, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, urges the pub to update its name to Ye Olde Clever Cocks - in recognition of society's growing compassion for animals.

Peta director Mimi Bekhechi said: "Changing the name would reflect today's rejection of needless violence and help celebrate chickens as the intelligent, sensitive and social animals they are.

 

"Today, kind people are appalled by the thought of forcing birds to fight to the death and more people than ever are making the compassionate choice not to eat chickens, either."

 

The Review ran an online poll asking readers if they thought the name should be changed, in which 61 per cent (517 people) said no compared to 39 per cent (334 people) who said yes.

Hundreds have also taken to social media to express their outrage at the idea.

 

Alasdair Melville used to work at the pub and is a former pupil of St Albans School.

 

The 31-year-old said: "Rather than worrying about the name of a pub, I think Peta should worry about looking after chickens at chicken farms for example.

"There is a better way to make a point."

 

Mr Melville, who owns estate agents Hawk and Chadwick, added: "If the pub were to change its name, where does it end?

 

"I do not associate the name with ###### fighting, I associate with the history.

"St Albans is great place in which to work and live because it's steeped in history."

 

Esme Rice has lived in the city for 20 years and said the pub was a landmark.

 

She said: "I remember eating in their garden when I was young and my dad explaining about the sport and how barbaric it is but how this pub is a mark of heritage and history, not a celebration of the sport."

 

Another regular, Robert Oakhill, 71, said: "The thing that appals me is the total lack of appreciation of history.

 

"The current name informs us about the past. It enables us to contemplate the great advances that have been made.

 

"The new name is, to use the most appropriate critical term, 'bonkers'."

Source: The Telegraph

[Skyfrog]

Peta is such a joke.

[XorpiZ]

Jesus christ.

[MikeChipshop Member]

The best way to deal with attention seeking organisations like PETA, is to ignore them.

 

I'd like to see a battle between the RSPCA and PETA, where the RSPCA rips the head off PETA and eats it

[FloatingFatMan]

Hey PETA, why don't you all just <bleep!> off and go murder a few 1000 more of those lost pets you have in your animal "sanctuaries"? 

[tuckeratlarge]

Hey PETA, why don't you all just <bleep!> off and go murder a few 1000 more of those lost pets you have in your animal "sanctuaries"? 

I read they destroy 90 to 95% of the animals they "rescue"

[firey]

I lol'd at "Bonkers"

[BinaryData]

This is a freaking joke.

[devHead]

PETA does realize that when that pub serves things like chicken wings, burgers, and the like, that those animals were killed, right?  I mean, at least in a fight with each other they both have a sporting chance.

[Guest]

The pub should do a special night for this joke where they offer free chicken-containing meal to every visitor.

[+JHBrown Subscriber¹]

Kick rocks Peta!

[BinaryData]

PETA is so full of hypocrisy. They push for the rights of animals, but they euthanize thousands every year. Most animals don't last 3 months in one of their shelters. PETA has no right demanding or asking that a pub, that freaking old, to change their name. I mean, that'd be like the United States asking the United Kingdom to change their name, so "United" isn't apart of it. It's just ludicrous!

[DocM]

The only good part of PETA is the naked women in their ads. Jumped the shark, they have.

[TPreston]

I recommend

 

[+therealDamien Subscriber¹]

if you dont go to the pub.

 

 

you cant change the name.

[FloatingFatMan]

I read they destroy 90 to 95% of the animals they "rescue"

 

The only ones they don't destroy are the ones the owners manage to rescue before they get the chance.

[+therealDamien Subscriber¹]

[streetw0lf]

They could always say that it's a Gay pub. :-)

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

PETA can make all the demands they want.  Doesn't mean anyone needs to react.  The most that will happen is that a few teenage girls will bitch about this.

[Gabe84]

I envy the people at PETA, they must have really nothing to do all day and nothing to worry about to come up with such idiotic ideas.

[compl3x]

The only good part of PETA is the naked women in their ads. Jumped the shark, they have.

 

 

Wait, isn't that sexist? I guess PETA wouldn't care about all of that. One moral crusade at a time, I suppose.

 

PETA are the worst example of an activist group. The issue of protecting animals is important, their ranting ###### distracts and detracts from it.

[Arachno 1D]

So given this absurdity we need to change the following too

 

The Blind Beggar,

Dirty Dick's

The Hare and Hounds

The Stag & Hounds

the Saracen's Head

Dog and Duck

Dog and Gun

The Dog's Bollocks

 

 

And just to clarify

 

Fighting Cocks: ###### fighting; but the fighting ###### also could be a heraldic sign. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in Saint Albans rivals Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham for the title of oldest pub. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pub_names