URGENT, please send sample letter opposing “Turkey Drop”: live turkeys dropped from planes

UPDATE | NO TURKEYS DROPPED

In Yellville, Arkansas, the annual tradition of hurling live turkeys to their deaths from airplanes was stopped this year because of Federal Aviation Administration scrutiny and public outrage. Thank you to everyone who spoke out against this event, especially the countless Arkansas residents who made themselves heard. PETA’s reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the “Turkey Drop” stands. Please know that we will push for a vigorous prosecution of anyone directly involved in future incidents as well as revocation of his or her pilot’s license.


BACKGROUND | FROM PETA

On October 7 and 8, the city of Yellville is holding its annual Turkey Trot Festival, during which wild turkeys — who typically fly only short distances, rarely reaching 100 feet — are hurled from private planes traveling around 70 miles per hour at altitudes of approximately 1,000 feet as part of the “Turkey Drop” tradition. Disoriented and unable to right themselves, most birds plummet like bricks, fatally crashing onto buildings, cars, and the street. Those with wind under their wings careen at extreme speeds into the landscape. City officials declare that this isn’t sanctioned by the festival, yet it continues year after year. Video footage of the 2010 Turkey Drop can be viewed below.

The Turkey Drop clearly violates Arkansas law (§5-62-103), which states that “a person commits the offense of cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment.” PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone directly involved in this activity. But we need your voice!

Please politely urge officials to do everything in their power to end this cruel and illegal act.


WHOM TO CONTACT

The Honorable Shawn Lane
Mayor of the City of Yellville
Yellville City Hall
Phone: 870-449-6581
Emails: clerk@yellville.net , mayor@yellville.net

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Honorable Lane,

I have just learned of the annual “Turkey Drop” during which live turkeys are tossed from planes, and I am writing to respectfully request this event be cancelled due to its inherent cruelty as well as its illegal content consistent with the below statute and also based on FAA rules.

Please allow me to elaborate. Are you aware of the brutality inflicted on animals for this cruel “tradition”? Turkeys are dropped from planes, condemned to a torturous and excruciating ceremony for citizen fun: indeed, this is a clear case of illegal violence and abuse as these animals are being exploited in the worst manner possible. Is the ruthless destruction of animals a mere manifestation of social greed and cheap entertainment? Surely when you support such violence against innocent animals via apathy you indeed allow indifference and cruelty to permeate our society and tarnish your image.

Furthermore, the Turkey Drop clearly violates Arkansas law (§5-62-103), which states that “a person commits the offense of cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment.”  This event also proves potentially dangerous to people on the ground as well when these gentle, frightened creatures are hurled over homes, businesses, and busy streets.

Please, I implore upon you to act swiftly and responsibly by discontinuing any relationship you maintain relative to the Turkey Drop and use all available and legal resources to make certain the Turkey Drop does not occur. Regrettably, until such a time, however, I feel my only recourse is to promote a boycott of your city and state and share this alarming news with others. Please, I ask respectfully for you to be a model of empathy and condemn the Turkey Drop and demonstrate that yours is a compassionate city that will not enable or support this brutality against turkeys.

I know your time is limited, and I want to thank you for your attention and consideration.

VIDEO FOOTAGE

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dropping turkeys from a plane
is this for real, it is beyond
insane
this must be abolished
do not permit
no living being should
have to endure
this sh*t!!!!

Karen Lyons Kalmenson