Members of Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) anti fur protesters in the Square on Tuesday morning. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
AN anti-fur message was relayed in The Square on Monday morning as members of the group Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) displayed representations of animal carcasses after they have been stripped of their fur.
ARAN’s presence in The Square was part of national tour to bring attention to the cruelty associated with the killing of animals for their skins.
According to the group, one of the five fur farms in Ireland is located in Kerry. There are around 200 members of ARAN across the county.
“Most compassionate people in Kerry would not be aware there is a fur farm in the county,” said John Carmody, campaigns director for ARAN.
“Every year in Ireland we believe over 200,000 animals are killed for their fur. We’re obviously pushing for the government to ban fur farms,” he said.
“We’ve reached out to local TDs, but they’re not always supportive to be honest with you,” he said.
“We want to bring attention to Tralee shoppers that animals on fur farms, not only in Kerry, but around the world live miserable lives cramped in tiny wire cages. We want to show shoppers they have the option to be cruel and to be kind and by refusing to wear the skins of a tormented and tortured animal they’re taking the option of compassion over cruelty,” he said.
John Carmody is the founder of ARAN. The Limerick native made the national news last December for being instrumental in finding a new home for ‘Benjy The Gay Bull’.
The bull was destined for the slaughterhouse for not fulfilling its the duties, but with the help of John it got a last minute reprieve. The story came to the attention of Sam Simon, co-creator of The Simpsons, who died yesterday. Mr Simon paid for Benjy’s transportation to an animal sanctuary in England.
If people would like to learn more about ARAN click HERE and HERE
