SPCA in a flap over chicken race

Stuff.co.nz ^ | 6.23.02

[mhking]

SPCA in a flap over chicken race

22 June 2002

An Albany businessman's plans for a chicken flying contest for charity may be scrapped, after ruffling the feathers of the SPCA.

Paul Snowdon wants to hold the competition in "chicken country", Albany's Kell Park.

The competition would involve placing hens on an elevated perch, with the winner flying the furthest, Mr Snowdon says.

But the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says the contest could "exploit" chickens.

SPCA Auckland chief executive Bob Kerridge says hens could be abused by people who go "too far".

"We are always concerned about public events using animals, particularly in competitive form," Mr Kerridge says. "They normally bring the animal into ridicule."

Mr Snowdon raised the idea at an Albany Community Board meeting, on June 6.

In a letter to the council, Mr Snowdon says an entry fee would be charged, with all proceeds going to charity.

"No chicken would be allowed to enter if it shows signs of injury, or looks unwell," Mr Snowdon says.

"There's no cruelty involved. It would be more of a fun day to see if you can win a prize."

North Shore City Council northern ward customer services manager, David Keay, says the issue will be decided at an Albany Community Board meeting.

Mr Keay says the application is "extraordinary" and he has never heard of anything like it.

[mhking]

I keep seeing Les Nessman talking about all the turkeys....

"But as God as my witness, I swear I thought turkeys could fly!"

[Pearls Before Swine]

I guess they wouldn't be too happy to hear about the lobster races we have before our summer lobster boils.

[monkeyshine]

What do they have to say about horseracing?

[LibKill]

I suppose they would really be horrified to watch a squirrel trying to outrun a load of #7-1/2 shot.

:)

[mdittmar]

If I was Paul Snowdon,I would say "no problem" and hold a good old chicken barbecue.

"Bring the fixins,we're cooking the chickens!"

[gitmo]

You beat me to it.

That's gotta be one of the most often quoted lines from a sitcom.

[carenot]

I wonder what they would think of me?

I would go out in the chicken yard, spread feed hollerin'. "Here chick, chick, chick!".

I would grab the one I wanted and pop his head off. The other chickens kept eating.

Mmmm..Good eatin'.

[another cricket]

I would grab the one I wanted and pop his head off.

Ack! You barbarian!

We always used an axe.

a.cricket

[llabhgiH]

Don't mean to nit pick but I think that was Carlsons line and Les was known more for his "and turkeys are hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement" line. I guess the S.P.C.A. had better start attending county fairs to stop this rampant abuse of chickens then. I know of more than one county fair that pushes the chicken flying competition as a big draw in the middle of the week.

[dighton]

Poultry x-ref.