PETA want A12 memorial at site where chickens died in fire

On Thursday afternoon, a lorry caught fire on the Colchester bound carriageway which was later found to be transporting live chickens.

The incident which happened near Kelvedon was tackled by fire crews for more than an hour and resulted all lanes in both directions being closed.

Incident - The lorry was carrying live chickens at the time of the fire(Image: James W Phillips)

Now, the People for the Ethnic Treatment of Animals (PETA) are calling for a memorial plaque to be placed where the incident happened in memory of the chickens who "suffered and died".

They have sent a letter to Essex County Council leader, Kevin Bentley asking for approval to put it up at the scene.

Memorial - The plaque PETA want putting up along the A12 where the fire took place(Image: PETA)

They want it to highlight everyone can help prevent animals from dying terrifying deaths by going vegan.

PETA vice president, Elisa Allen said: “For nothing more than a fleeting moment of taste, these chickens suffered an agonising death during an already terrifying trip, which was in all likelihood to the abattoir.

Action - PETA vice president, Elisa Allen believes the plaque would encourage people to help prevent further tragedies(Image: ACTOR HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHER)

“PETA’s roadside memorial would encourage people to help prevent further tragedies for gentle birds and all animals by leaving them in peace and going vegan."

The charity also make reference to the fact chickens have complex social structures, dream when they sleep and worry about the future, as humans do.

The letter which PETA vice president, Elisa Allen is sending to councillor Kevin Bentley states: "Following the deadly blaze that engulfed a lorry carrying chickens on the A12, claiming the lives of hundreds of birds.

"I’m writing to ask you to permit PETA to place a memorial plaque near the site to commemorate the lives lost.

"Chickens are sensitive individuals, no different to the animals with whom many of us share our homes and admire from afar.

"They have memories to rival elephants’, enjoy complex communication like parrots, are playful like puppies, and, most importantly, they feel joy, fear and pain, just like we do.

The letter continues: "But chickens are among the world’s most abused animals.

"Those farmed for their flesh and eggs are confined by the millions to dirty cages and sheds, manipulated to grow too quickly or lay too many eggs, and slaughtered when still just babies.

"A memorial would encourage people to reconsider eating the dead bodies of birds who have suffered, and remind everyone that the best way to avoid tragedies like this fire –which likely happened as gentle birds were trucked to their deaths at an abattoir – is to go vegan, sparing animals such terrifying journeys in the first place.

"A memorial can’t bring back the poor chickens who perished.

"But, it can help empower the public to choose delicious vegan foods that spare birds and all animals from miserable lives and risky journeys toward painful deaths."

PETA’s free vegan starter kit can help anyone looking to make the switch.

 PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat” – points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits. 

For more information, visit PETA.org.uk or follow PETA on Facebook, X, TikTok, or Instagram.