A controversial animal rights group is planning on a releasing a number of billboards near Saskatoon’s public schools this Thanksgiving holiday.

The billboard, which will also run in Winnipeg and Ottawa, will read: “Kids, if you wouldn’t eat your dog, why eat a turkey? Go vegan.”

“It’s a thought provoking ad to get children and their parents thinking about why we discriminate against some animals for food but not others,” said Lauren Stroyeck, coordinator with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Known for their infamous ad campaigns, Stroyeck said the billboard, which will feature a “friendly” looking “animal” -- a cross between a turkey and a Jack Russell Terrier dog -- is meant to encourage kids to ask questions and to stir up some controversy at the dinner table.

“The cruelty that animals go through on factory farms and are slaughtered for food would result in cruelty to animal charges for factory farm executives if they treated dogs and cats in the same way,” she said.

Janet Feasby, vice-president of Advertising Standards, a not-for-profit complaint based group that regulates advertising in Canada, said she could not comment on the specific ad but said as long as PETA’s billboards do not “harm” children they are not crossing any advertising lines.

According to clause 12, the code which sets the standards for advertising directed to children in Canada, ads must not exploit the lack of experience of children or present illustrations that could result in their physical, emotional or moral harm.

PETA said they are still in discussion with a number of companies in the city to determine exactly where and how many billboards will run in Saskatoon.

fsuen@rawlco.com

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