PETA accuses 'The Making of Harry Potter' tour for mistreating owls

The animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has accused the studio tour of "The Making of Harry Potter" of mistreating owls.

Since it opened in 2012, the Warner Bros Studio Tour in London has allowed fans to glimpse the magical world of Harry Potter and his friends, but PETA was angered when it secretly filmed the tour.

The group witnessed "distressed birds... tethered in tiny cages for hours and forced to perform tricks." They also saw handlers allowing visitors to pet the owls and make them do "demeaning" tricks.

"Confining frightened owls to tiny cages where they can only chew at their tethers in frustration goes against every message of respect and kindness that J.K. Rowling's wonderful books taught us," PETA director Mimi Bekhechi told the BBC.

PETA then called on the studio tour "to make sure that the Harry Potter tour stays magical - and not cruel - by keeping live animals out of it."

In its defense, the Warner Bros Studio Tour London told the BBC that "it is essential the welfare of the birds... is of the highest standard." So after seeing the footage, they have directed the company that owns the owls, Birds and Animals to "review this matter."

A spokeswoman for Birds and Animals said that the welfare of the birds and animals under their care is their "number one priority" so they have implemented certain standards to make sure that the birds are both healthy and stress-free.

"The owls are always given regular breaks and closely monitored by a vet. Now that we have had the opportunity to see the footage, we have instigated a review of the issues raised," the spokeswoman said: "We will take appropriate action to ensure that the birds and animals always receive the very best care."

related articles
Harry Potter fan gets touching letter from JK Rowling
Harry Potter fan gets touching letter from JK Rowling

Famed Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling truly cares about her fans, and no one could support this statement better than Johnnie Blue of Scotland, who just received the most touching letter from his favourite author.

JK Rowling got \'sick\' of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, her new bibliography reveals
JK Rowling got 'sick' of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, her new bibliography reveals

It's difficult to imagine famed Harry Potter author JK Rowling doubting herself and her own work, but this is exactly what happened while she was writing the third book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In fact, she got so fed up of repeatedly reading and checking her work that she got so "sick" of it.

News
Faith in difficult times: lessons from 1930s Britain
Faith in difficult times: lessons from 1930s Britain

Architectural historian Steven Brindle talks to Christian Today about the faith that shaped 1930s Britain, the churches that supported struggling communities and what lessons the decade might have for us today.

Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach

Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.

The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'

The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.

Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns

An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.