Smurf Doesn't Care if Her Name Is in the Guinness World Records—She Cares About Her Baby, Says Group
For Immediate Release:
April 26, 2012
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Norfolk, Va. -- PETA today sent a letter to Embrun, Ontario, dairy farmer Eric Patenaude urging him to retire Smurf—a 15-year-old cow whose lifetime milk production has set a Guinness World Record—and send her and the calf she's carrying to a farmed-animal sanctuary. Calves born in the dairy industry are torn away from their mothers shortly after birth—males are either fattened for beef or relegated to notoriously cruel veal crates, and females, like their mothers, are put on the assembly line for a life as milk machines before being slaughtered. In its letter, PETA points out that in return for the income and fame that Smurf has involuntarily given him, Mr. Patenaude would score ethical points by allowing Smurf to use her milk as nature intended—to feed her calf—and not steal it for human consumption. PETA has offered to help place Smurf and her calf at a reputable farmed-animal sanctuary.
"Life for cows on a dairy farm involves standing in deep muck, having their horns painfully removed from their head, and having every one of their babies taken away," says PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. "After 15 years of involuntary service, shouldn't Smurf be allowed to raise at least one of her calves at a sanctuary where both will receive the very best care?"
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
PETA's letter to dairy farmer Eric Patenaude follows.
April 26, 2012
Eric
Patenaude
La Ferme
Gillette
Dear Mr. Patenaude,
I am writing on behalf of PETA's more than 3 million members and supporters, including thousands across Canada, to ask that you allow both Smurf and the calf she is expecting to go to an approved farmed-animal sanctuary where her milk will be used for its natural purpose: to nourish her calf.
Smurf doesn't care about getting into the Guinness Book of World Records—she cares about being with the calf she loves. The opportunity to finally keep and care for one of her youngsters is the least you can offer to this animal, who has given you profit and fame at the expense of everything that is natural and important to her. Please make this compassionate decision with her in mind.
I hope you will get in touch with me so that I can assist you in finding a reputable sanctuary that will allow Smurf and her baby to live out the rest of their days together in peace.
I look forward to speaking with you.
Sincerely,
Alicia
Woempner
Project
Manager