PETA billboard blames meat eaters after chickens die in fire at an Ohio family’s barn
After an Ohio family lost a barn and all of its possessions inside — including some chickens — PETA is putting up a billboard nearby to blame meat eaters for the deaths of the animals.
The animal rights organization plans to put up a similar sign following a fire in North Carolina.
The barn fire in West Alexandria, Ohio, about 10 days ago was difficult to put out because water had to be hauled out to the rural property, firefighters say.
As flames overtook the barn, the blaze threatened the family’s home and garage, according to a news release.
With the help of four fire departments, local firefighters extinguished it before other buildings were destroyed.
Amy Dillon, who identified herself as one of the homeowners, called the fire a traumatic experience in a comment on the fire department’s Facebook page.
“We are incredibly sad about losing this wonderful old structure, my chickens, and the contents of the barn such as many irreplaceable family antiques,” Dillon wrote. “But we are trying to focus on the positive — we were not harmed and our home was saved.”
Now PETA is putting up a billboard near the home, according to a news release.
“The pain and fear that these trapped chickens must have felt as smoke and flames engulfed them is impossible to imagine,” PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman wrote in a news release. “PETA urges everyone to prevent more animals from suffering and dying by opting for delicious vegan meals.”
The billboard’s message will be written in all capital letters.
Dillon didn’t immediately respond to McClatchy News in a Facebook message seeking comment about the billboard.
PETA also wants to place a similar advertisement in West End, North Carolina. That’s where about 19,000 chickens died in a Thanksgiving Day fire at a farm, The Pilot reported.
This story was originally published December 30, 2019 at 3:57 PM with the headline "PETA billboard blames meat eaters after chickens die in fire at an Ohio family’s barn."