One Direction are about to release a new single and debate is already taking place about a new addition to the group. Their new video features a sunglass wearing chimpanzee whose owner is allegedly known for his mistreatment of animals. While many will see the inclusion of the chimp as cute, should One D have thought more about the message they are sending to their fans about the treatment of animals or is their role just to entertain?
'As One Direction prepare for the release of the video for their new song Steal My Girl, animal rights group PETA is urging the group to cut key scenes featuring a chimpanzee.
In video stills released on Thursday, band-members Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik are seen laughing with veteran actor Danny DeVito - and the jovial primate.
But PETA have lashed out at the chimpanzee's trainer, Steve Martin’s Working Wildlife, who they claim has a long rap sheet of violations against animal rights, dating as far back as 1993.
The organisation said in a statement to MailOnline: 'PETA has been in touch with the band, and will be writing to them again today, to advise them that the animal trainer who supplied the chimpanzee for their latest video has been cited numerous times for shocking violations of the very minimal standards of the US Animal Welfare Act.'
According to PETA, the long list of violations includes 'locking chimpanzees and orang-utans in “night housing” (small cages) for up to 18 hours a day with no enrichment items... and failure to provide adequate ventilation, clean cages and proper feeding'.
After sharing its damning list of allegations against the California-based trainer, PETA delivered a challenging request for the band on the eve of their video's release.
The statement concluded: 'PETA is asking that the boys immediately cut the scene with the chimpanzee and the other wild animals, pledge never to work with wild animals again and donate a percentage of the proceeds from the song to an organisation that rescues chimpanzees and cares for them properly.
However, the chimp appeared to be having a good time with the singers as it was stroked by Louis and Zayn.The primate was also seen wearing a pair of bright red sunglasses.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2805246/One-Direction-urged-PETA-cut-chimp-scenes-Steal-Girl-video-following-allegations-animal-rights-violations.html
How should One Direction react to PETA's demands? Ignore them or cut the chimp scenes?
What do you think?
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It is proposed that One Direction should cut the scenes from their new video that feature the chimpanzee