Rock XXII bands sign ''Save the Chickens'' Petition

Mumbai, Sep 7 (UNI) In an attempt to register intolerance towards the manner in which more than 850 million chickens are raised and killed for KFC every year, some of the biggest names at this year's 'Independence Rock XXII' festival have signed PETA Dishoom's anti-KFC petition urging fans to boycott KFC.

Some of these rock bands include Afterburn, Panatella, Kryptos, Synaps, Easy Street, Undying and others.

A spokesperson for PETA said, ''These bands are fed up with KFC because chickens raised for KFC are bred and drugged to grow so fast that many become crippled under their own weight. Their sensitive beaks are cut off and they are jam-packed into dark, filthy sheds.

At abattoirs, many are still conscious when their throats are cut and they are dumped in scalding-hot defeathering tanks.'' A PETA US undercover investigation documented on videotape workers at a US KFC Supplier of the year kicking, throwing and stomping on live birds and spray-painting their faces.

Investigations of KFC suppliers around the world have also revealed crippled chickens who endure daily abuses and forced to live in filth.

Speaking to reporters today, PETA Dishoom's Puja Joshi said, ''KFC stands for cruelty in our book. Every bird KFC puts in a box or bucket had a miserable life and a frightening death. Along with India's top rockers, we are asking consumers to boycott KFC until the Company implements basic welfare standards.'' The bands playing at I-Rock festival, including this year's headliner, 'Parikrama' have always shown their support for PETA Dishoom.

Because the I-Rock XXII tour also includes Delhi and Bangalore, more than two dozen band members from all three cities have added their names to the petition, informed Puja.

UNI