Animal rights group protests Tiger attack on zoo

An international animal rights organisation has protested the bombing of the zoo in Dehiwela allegedly by the LTTE earlier this month.

"In addition to injuring several human beings - which was no doubt its intent - the explosive device that was set off near the zoo's birds enclosure terrified many animals in the zoo," said Ingrid E. Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in a letter to the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran.

At least seven people, including two children, were injured, when a grenade kept near the birds' enclosure went off on February 3.

Newkirk said that animals got caught in the cross fire of wars all over the world and countless animals were being killed either intentionally or accidentally in bomb attacks worldwide.

"Al Qaeda and the British government have used animals in hideously cruel biological weaponry tests, and the US Army abandoned thousands of loyal service dogs at the end of the war in Vietnam," she pointed out.

"If you have the opportunity, will you please consider my request and appeal to all those who listen to you to leave animals out of the conflict?" Newkirk asked Prabhakaran.

IANS