While preparing for a campaign, PETA gave Burger King one final chance

Mr. Rob Doughty, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations
Burger King Corporation
17777 Old Cutler Rd.
Miami, FL 33157

1 page via fax: 305-378-7714

Dear Rob:

It has been a month since my last letter to you. When we last spoke, you promised to get back to PETA with a progress report. That has not happened. It seems clear, therefore, that Burger King is not interested in improving life for the animals killed for its restaurants. I am writing to give you a final opportunity to prove us wrong.

Although we are pleased that you have hired Dr. Grandin, we repeat: An animal welfare council with a mandate endorsing industry standards (a wholly redundant goal, since the standards are the way things are done now) may endear you to slaughterhouse and battery hen farm owners, but means no improvements for animals. Auditing slaughterhouses, while an important first step, will accomplish nothing if there is no mechanism for improving and penalizing slaughterhouses that skin and dismember conscious animals.

We suspect that Burger King's lack of commitment to real improvement is the reason you refused to appoint Dr. Ian Duncan, the undisputed authority on poultry welfare, or bioethicist Dr. Bernie Rollin, to the council. We also note with dismay that Diane Halverson, from the Animal Welfare Institute, is not on your panel, despite her presence on McDonald's panel.

Burger King has categorically refused to even discuss any of the important animal welfare issues PETA has raised. Why would Burger King allow McDonald's to remain the leader among chain restaurant companies where animal welfare is concerned? You look lousy on this issue and your customers, as McDonald's learned, won't like it.

PETA remains ready to work with Burger King. Please call me if you have anything to discuss or report at 815-334-9442. You can fax a reply to me in care of PETA at 757-628-0784.

Sincerely,

Steven J. Gross, Ph.D.

cc: Mr. Bruce G. Friedrich, PETA
Dr. Temple Grandin
Mr. Colin Storm, CEO
Ms. Mikel Durham, President, Burger King North America
Mr. Steve Lewis, National Franchisee Association
Mr. Frank Capaldo, National Franchisee Association