Seattle Bird Is PETA's 2012 Chicken Champion Contest Winner

Nursed Back to Health From Severe Neglect, Rescued Rooster Escapes Slaughter, Struts Off With PETA Prize

For Immediate Release:
February 3, 2012

Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382

Seattle -- Just a few months ago, rooster Toro Roo was the victim of severe neglect and was extremely weak. After being rescued from owners who were later charged with cruelty to animals, he was taken to the Seattle Animal Shelter and adopted by his current guardian, Tiffany Young. As millions of sports fans continue the countdown to Super Bowl Sunday—during which, it is estimated, more chicken wings are consumed than on any other day of the year—PETA is turning the tables and putting chickens in the spotlight. Thanks to Young's tender loving care and Toro Roo's remarkable will to live, Toro Roo has been chosen from a score of finalists to be crowned winner of PETA's 2012 Champion Chicken Contest.

"If more people could appreciate Toro Roo and other chickens for the intelligent and sensitive animals they are, PETA is convinced that consumers would lose their appetite for wings," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Super Bowl celebrators can help make every chicken a winner simply by leaving wings on their original owners and giving one of the many delicious faux-fowl products on the market a try."

Because Toro Roo was born a "broiler" chicken—a bird bred to grow a massive upper body—he now weighs more than 17 pounds. Young, who went vegan two years ago, says that her other rescued chickens weigh only 3 to 4 pounds, which is a chicken's normal weight.

Still, not all chickens are as lucky as Toro Roo. More than 600 million chickens are killed for their wings during Super Bowl weekend alone.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.