URGENT: Call for End to Yellville’s Sadistic ‘Turkey Drop’

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UPDATE | 10-15-2012

For the second year in a row, the tradition in Yellville, Arkansas, of hurling live turkeys to their deaths from airplanes was stopped. 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 “turkey drop” participants 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

On October 12 and 13, the city of Yellville is holding its annual Turkey Trot Festival, during which an illegal event known as the “Turkey Drop” historically takes place. This event involves the hurling of wild turkeys—who typically fly only short distances, rarely reaching 100 feet high—from private planes traveling around 70 miles per hour and at altitudes of around 1,000 feet! 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.

This event violates Arkansas anti-cruelty laws which state that “a person commits the offense of cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment” as well as the Federal Aviation Administration Code which states that “[n]o pilot in command of a civil aircraft may allow any object to be dropped from that aircraft in flight that creates a hazard to persons or property.” PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of direct participants, and we need your voice!   (The event did not take place during the 2011 year.)


WHOM TO CONTACT

Please politely urge officials to do everything in their power to put an end to this cruel event, and then forward this alert widely!

The Honorable Shawn Lane
Mayor of Yellville
clerk@yellville.net

Yellville City Hall
870-449-6581
http://www.yellvilleweb.com/city.htm


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.

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 to this urgent matter.

NAME


VIDEO FOOTAGE

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when will manunkind realize
that cruelties such as this
turkey drop,
are beyond evil and sadistic
and have to stop!!!!

Karen Lyons Kalmenson