PETA activists arrested in failed manure-dumping protest outside ASPCA office
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Two PETA activists were arrested Thursday after attempting to dump a truckload of manure outside the Manhattan headquarters of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
The protest fell short of its intended spectacle when freezing temperatures left much of the manure frozen to the truck bed. “Because of the freezing temperatures, it didn’t all fall out,” said Ashley Byrne, a spokesperson for PETA. She explained that one activist climbed into the truck to manually shovel the manure, but he was stopped and arrested by police before completing the task.
PETA activists attempt to dump truck filled with manure outside the NYC offices of animal rescue agency ASPCA, but fail after the manure froze due to cold weather.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) January 26, 2025
The activists, who were arrested, were protesting against the ASPCA’s animal welfare certification program, which… pic.twitter.com/i6zaoY1Jk2
The demonstration was part of PETA’s ongoing campaign against the ASPCA’s support for an animal welfare certification program issued by the Global Animal Partnership. PETA claims the certification misleads consumers by endorsing products from factory farms with histories of animal cruelty.
The ASPCA has not commented on the incident or responded to PETA’s allegations regarding the certification program.
The protest reflects growing tensions between the two prominent animal rights organizations.
Frozen manure wasn’t the only thing stuck in Thursday’s protest.