Animal lovers get the hump over the sale of camel meat in Thanet
ANIMAL-rights protesters have targeted a new shop in Broadstairs that will sell exotic meats including camel, crocodile and zebra.
A small banner-bearing group confronted Wild Sun owners Manfred and Ahrlene Fuss outside their shop on Saturday morning.
Two police officers were sent to watch the protest, which passed off peacefully.
The demonstration came just days after the shop featured in the Thanet Times.
The shop's owners import meat such as kangaroo, crocodile, camel, zebra and ostrich from as far afield as Australia and Africa and is due to open its doors to the public tomorrow (Wednesday).
The ten-strong protest group wielded banners and placards that read "Go Vegan!" and "We need more Friends of the Animals".
One of the protesters, admin assistant Carrie Donegan, said: "I am against all meat in general but fundamentally this meat in particular because the wild animals' offspring are left without parents and those shot are made to suffer."
Manfred said he was pleased his business sparked debate, claiming to be equally concerned with conservation.
He said: "I am very encouraged by their visit and the demonstration is a good opportunity for us to get our point across."
The company website wildsun.co.uk, has a section on ethics which argues the benefits of game over farmed meat.
It says: "The game feed on natural vegetation and in this way do not disturb the eco-system. Survival of our beautiful wild animals can only be secured by creating a commercial value for them."
What do you think? E-mail newsdesk. thanet @KRNmedia.co. uk or write to the address on page 2.
6 Comments
by Tracy, Broadstairs
Wednesday, October 27 2010, 1:43PM
“Good on the shop i hope they do well.
To the protesters If you don't like it don't buy it! Everybody has their own opinion on meat eating as these animals are not endangered each to there own either Herbivore, Carnivore.”
by Peter, Kent
Wednesday, October 27 2010, 1:22PM
“I am vegan too, no shortage of cruelty free products to use in my DAILY shower. Sadly, unlike Jason, we don't have time to do what he does (campaigning). But i agree, we are healthy, and vegans are less likely to get cancer/heart disease, which are not things you catch, (like flu) but things you do to your self by adopting an unhealthy lifestyle.”
by Jason, Ramsgate
Wednesday, October 27 2010, 9:41AM
“Dear "G",
"Soap dodgers?"-change the record. Thats been hurled at people for years-people who care enough to get off their backside, and try to make the world a kinder, more compassionate place.
Ive demonstarted against animal cruelty for years, and have heard every insult going...but im there because i care.
I also have now my own business, after previously being a founder member of a hugely successful vegetarian food business. I am also a landlord, own my own property, and use soap every day.
Dont really fit into your narrowminded stereotype do I?!
Im also a Vegan, go running, and have never been so healthy, doctors are a thing of the past for me.
Maybe we can now start some intelligent debate?”
by G, Sussex
Tuesday, October 26 2010, 10:54PM
“The soap dodgers in the photo look like they could all do with a bit of animal protein among their lentils and tofu.
If being a vegan is supposed to be healthy then why do they all look so pale and unhealthy.”
by Kate, Broadstairs
Tuesday, October 26 2010, 4:30PM
“Mistakes: firstly, the title of the article is inaccurate, the protest was not only against Camel meat, this mistake was seemingly written purposely to allow the inclusion a Pun within the title, we can see how prioritised the facts are. Secondly, there were not only ten protesters but actually 16 some of which were not pictured. You people should not be writing our news!”
by Kate, Broadstairs
Tuesday, October 26 2010, 4:30PM
“Mistakes: firstly, the title of the article is inaccurate, the protest was not only against Camel meat, this mistake was seemingly written purposely to allow the inclusion a Pun within the title, we can see how prioritised the facts are. Secondly, there were not only ten protesters but actually 16 some of which were not pictured. You people should not be writing our news!”