News Editor Tamara Greatrix reports on PETA’s recent controversy after the organisation urged a Birmingham pub to change its name
Recently, a popular animal rights organisation was involved in controversy after it urged a Birmingham pub to change its name, claiming it was ‘derogatory’ toward foxes. The group has since faced backlash, with many claiming the act was ‘undermining real issues.’
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals group (PETA) wrote to the owners of The Sly Old Fox on Hurst Street, Birmingham, claiming that the name of the Victorian pub was ‘derogatory.’ As reported by The Telegraph, in a letter sent to the pub, Elisa Allen, PETA’s vice-president of programmes requested the pub to consider swapping ‘sly’ with ‘clever’, feeling it would be more appropriate to assist in combatting the negative reputation many associate with foxes. Ms Allen added that she would be willing to contribute towards rebranding costs.
Ms Allen claimed that foxes have an ‘unearned reputation’ as pests, and depictions such as this contribute to the antipathy many people may hold towards the animals. She added that there are ‘negative connotations’ associated with ‘sly’, painting an image of foxes being ‘deceitful’, a view of foxes that she deems ‘inaccurate and unfair.’ She went on to state that foxes were ‘magnificent animals.’
“Depictions such as this contribute to the antipathy many people may hold towards [foxes]
Since then, Ms Allen has urged people to research the language used to describe animals and disagrees with the controversy she has faced: ‘The language we use to describe other animals can affect how we view and treat them.’
However, Allen’s stance has led to excessive backlash online, as many suggest the request ‘trivialised animal rights issues.’ Reacting to the news on X, one user labelled the request ‘ridiculous’, others claiming that the act has the potential to ‘undo the good work vegans have been doing for years.’ One user even labelled Allen as a ‘hothead’, urging people not to allow ‘young ‘hotheads’ to undermine our cause.’ Ms Allen responded to these complaints, saying that critics of her letter were getting their ‘knickers in a twist.’
“The act has the potential to ‘undo the good work vegans have been doing for years.’
In recent years, PETA has approached various other organisations, urging them to modernise their names; they feel that companies must keep up with a society with an ‘ever-evolving empathy for animals’. One proposal was aimed towards Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans. PETA feeling a more appropriate rebrand would be Ye Olde Clever Cocks. They thought it was essential to remove the violent connotations associated with the old name, which in turn has the potential to ‘reflect society’s rejection of needless violence’ and could aid in encouraging people to ‘celebrate the chicken.’
The Sly Old Fox are yet to comment.
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