PETA Sends Appeal to Wie to Ask McDonald's to Use Kinder Methods of Slaughtering Chickens


The animal-rights group PETA sent a letter to Michelle Wie Tuesday morning asking her to use her position as a spokeswoman for fast-food giant McDonald's to adopt a less cruel slaughtering method for the millions of chickens consumed in its restaurants.

In the letter - which begins: "While you're making birdies on the golf course, please consider speaking up for the birds who are scalded to death for McNuggets," PETA points out that an alternative method spares chickens from suffering broken bones and being scalded to death and is already being used by some of McDonald's European suppliers. PETA's request comes two days before the LPGA Championship in which Wie is scheduled to participate.

"Michelle has one of the sweetest strokes in golf, but when it comes to her decision to partner with McDonald's, she's landed in the rough," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "We hope that she can help eliminate McDonald's cruel slaughter methods and be a champion not only on the golf course but also for chickens."

McDonald's American suppliers are under fire for using an archaic killing method in which birds often suffer from broken wings and broken legs, have their throats cut while they are still conscious, and are scalded to death in de-feathering tanks. PETA - along with members of McDonald's own animal-welfare advisory panel - has urged the company to switch to a modern method of slaughter and eliminate the worst abuses that birds suffer.

Wie has not commented on the request.