DENVER - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claim Denver officials revoked their initial permit to place a 'Crippled Chicken' statue along the 16th Street Mall.
The 65-inch fiberglass statue, which was designed by New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss, depicts a battered, bloody chicken limping on crutches and bears the inscription "McCruelty: I'm hatin' it."
PETA wanted to erect the statue in June and keep it in place for the duration of the summer.
"People deserve to know that every time they buy a box of McNuggets, they are paying McDonald's to break chickens' legs and scald the animals to death," said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman.
The animal rights group alleges that after applying for a Department of Public Works permit in order to display the statue, PETA was assured that a permit would be forthcoming. But, when the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP) learned of the plans, it objected, and the matter was allegedly put on hold pending review.
At this time, McDonalds has declined to comment on the campaign.
PETA's said their attorney has since sent a letter to the Denver mayor stating any attempts to override the permitting authority would violate the animals right group free-speech and equal-protection rights.
The 65-inch fiberglass statue, which was designed by New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss, depicts a battered, bloody chicken limping on crutches and bears the inscription "McCruelty: I'm hatin' it."
PETA wanted to erect the statue in June and keep it in place for the duration of the summer.
"People deserve to know that every time they buy a box of McNuggets, they are paying McDonald's to break chickens' legs and scald the animals to death," said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman.
The animal rights group alleges that after applying for a Department of Public Works permit in order to display the statue, PETA was assured that a permit would be forthcoming. But, when the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP) learned of the plans, it objected, and the matter was allegedly put on hold pending review.
At this time, McDonalds has declined to comment on the campaign.
PETA's said their attorney has since sent a letter to the Denver mayor stating any attempts to override the permitting authority would violate the animals right group free-speech and equal-protection rights.
