Animal Rights activists took to the streets of Palmerston North on Saturday 25th July to expose the SPCA Chairperson and her day job.
Debbie Chesterfield, chair of the Manawatu SPCA, manages Massey University’s small animal research breeding facility.
As such, she is involved in live testing, supplying animals for vivisection and killing animals on a daily basis.
Saturday saw the launch of the petition to the Manawatu SPCA committee to have her removed from her position as their Chairperson.
We had an overwhelming response with over 150 people signing the petition. The public we spoke to were shocked and agreed that she should not be Chair of the local SPCA.
The SPCA is an organisation which the public view as being opposed to animal cruelty and Debbie Chesterfield’s role at Massey University is in direct conflict with this view.
After the picket and petition launch a protest was held oustide the VARC Bainesse facility. VARC are a contract animal testing facility which breed and test on hundreds of Beagle dogs each year.
Regular protests are held at the site to draw attention to the fact that the Bainesse boarding kennels are merely a front for what really happens on the property.
The petition will soon also be available for signing online. Details to be released.