The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA recently accused the execs of the Warner Bros. "Harry Potter Tour" at Leavesden, Hertfordshire for the mistreatment of live owls used in the tour.
PETA also posted a video on YouTube that shows how the owls are treated by their trainers and by tourists. The organization is now initiating an investigation after receiving several complaints from fans and animal rights supporters.
As posted on the official PETA website, the staff allegedly mishandles the owls by keeping them locked in small cages. Also, owls have acute vision which makes them sensitive to bright flashes of light, but PETA states that the trainers encourage tourists to continue taking pictures. The video posted shows the owls shaking their heads and chewing on their tethers due to confusion and blindness. Trainers also encourage tourists to pet the birds despite signs that clearly state the animals should not be touched. PETA also argues that the trainers force the birds to conduct "demeaning tricks" such as picking up items to delight tourists.
A tour spokesman for the Harry Potter Tour responded, stating that the welfare of the owls was of "paramount importance" and that the animals were exclusively handled by Birds & Animals experts, the group that owns and trains the owls.
"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling previously stated on Owl-Help.org, "If anybody has been influenced by my books to think an owl would be happiest shut in a small cage and kept in a house, I would like to say as forcefully as I can, you are wrong."
The Hollywood Reporter stated that Birds & Animals are now reviewing the allegations after viewing the footage posted by PETA.
The organization has stated, "We will take appropriate action to ensure that the birds and animals always receive the very best care."
