PETA Offended by Name of Road, Demands It Be Changed

*Editor’s note: The following article is NOT satire.

(TMU) — “Jumping the shark” would be an appropriate expression to describe PETA’s latest grievance over the name of one rural Idaho road. However, the group would presumably take offense to the commonly used idiom because of the plight of sharks or something equally outlandish.

The animal rights’ group PETA issued a press release on Wednesday to notify the media that it has sent a letter to Caldwell Mayor Garret Nancolas requesting a change to the street name Chicken Dinner Road.

Located in a rural area of Canyon County, Idaho; the road is so remote, it does not even appear on Caldwell city street maps.

“Just like dogs, cats, and human beings, chickens feel pain and fear and value their own lives,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is asking Mayor Nancolas to change this road’s name to one that celebrates chickens as individuals, not as beings to kill, chop up, and label as ‘dinner.’”

Susan Miller, the mayor’s assistant, told the Idaho Statesman that she wasn’t sure if Nancolas would be issuing a response to PETA’s request.

The letter sent to the mayor, dated July 3rd, reads in part:

“We’re not trying to ruffle any feathers, but words matter and have the power to change lives, both human and nonhuman. Chickens are intelligent, sensitive animals who feel pain and empathy and form strong bonds with one another, and they shouldn’t be considered “dinner.”

By renaming this roadway, we believe you have a great opportunity to demonstrate a sign of the changing times, as more humans are showing compassion and respect for other species. We hope you will encourage residents to appreciate chickens as individuals who deserve our respect and cry fowl about this archaic road sign that labels them merely as “dinner.” We’d be happy to contribute to the cost of new signage if you agree to hatch a plan and change the name.”

Joe Decker, a spokesman for Canyon County, said the county has received feedback from residents who grew up in the area and they do not wish for the name to be changed. The spokesman also added that he is skeptical the name will be changed “based on a letter from PETA.”

By S.M. Gibson | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com