from Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Dec 10: The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) will hold demonstrations in the State on Thursday December 11 appealing people to shun items made of animals' skin during Christmas.

"The demonstrations would be held in capital city of Panaji opposite captain of Ports department," a PETA spokesman said.

The State has around 30 percent Catholic population in the state.

The demonstration will be held by activists wearing cow, rabbit and sheep costumes and Christmas hats and holding signs reading, "Bring Joy to Our World Too – Don't Kill Us for Our Skins!"

"PETA is encouraging Goa residents to choose synthetic and natural fibre materials and to shun items made of animals' skins," the spokesman said.

PETA said that buying leather contributes directly to the abuse of animals in abattoirs. "The vast majority of cows, sheep, goats and pigs which are raised and killed for their skin suffer painful body mutilations, deprivation, physical abuse and cruel treatment during transport and slaughter," they said.

Says PETA activist Surabhi Arora, "animals on fur farms spend their entire lives confined to crowded and filthy wire cages. Fur farmers use the cheapest and cruellest killing methods available, including suffocation, electrocution, gas and poison. In parts of India, rabbits are skinned alive for their fur." 

"Wearing animal skins is no way to spread the joy and goodwill of Christmas", she said. 

 "With all the stylish and comfortable natural fibres – including cotton, jute and satin – and a wide array of synthetics available, there's no excuse to buy or wear the skins of tormented animals," Arora said.