York animal rights ads suggest eating turkey same as eating cat

Carol says she agrees with the poster's message, while her husband, Tony, plans to eat turkey at Christmas

Adverts suggesting eating turkey at Christmas is similar to eating a pet have been put up by an animal rights charity in York.

The bus stop billboards, by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), show a turkey with the head of a cat and the slogan "go vegan".

The ads aimed to "bring comfort and joy to all species this year", Peta said.

But one passer-by, Mikey, 19, said the advert may "send a message to some people, but probably not the majority".

The posters have been put up by the campaigning organisation in Blossom Street, Hull Road, Nunnery Lane and Poppleton Road in York.

Freddie, Mikey, George and Bailey have different views on the advert at a bus stop in York

Bailey, 18, another passer-by at one of the six bus stops featuring the advert, said: "I wouldn't eat a cat but it's not the same.

"I have got more of a connection to my cat, I don't have a pet turkey."

Meanwhile, Carol, 66, who is vegan and who was waiting for a bus with her husband, Tony, who eats meat, said: "I quite agree with the advert. I wish Tony wouldn't eat turkey."

Jim says the poster, on six bus stops in York city centre, is an "attention grabber"

Tony, 72, said: "I enjoy Christmas dinner, I only have it once a year. The advert does make you think a bit."

Carol said the couple agreed on most things "apart from the food issue".

Passer-by Jim, 83, said he thought the posters had been put up as an "attention grabber".

Ian says he believes the consumption of meat could be lower

But Ian, 75, who was waiting for his bus on Blossom Street, said he was more sympathetic.

"We are eating meat all the time and we shouldn't be," he said.

Elisa Allen, from Peta, said the posters encouraged people to "bring comfort and joy to all species this year by leaving animals off their plates".

A spokesperson for the charity urged people to try a vegan meal during the Christmas period.