PETA animal rights activists demand the Sly Old Fox change its name

Animal rights activists have demanded the Sly Old Fox pub in Birmingham change its name because it is 'derogatory' towards foxes. 

PETA has suggested the pub, which dates back to 1891 and has hosted a number of famous faces including Charlie Chaplin, becomes 'The Clever Old Fox' instead. 

They have argued the current name is 'negative' and perpetuates foxes' 'unearned' reputation as pests. 

In a letter written to the Sly Old Fox, Elisa Allen, vice president of programmes at PETA, said derogatory descriptions of foxes has led to their 'violent persecution'. 

She explained they are now considered pests and 'may be poisoned or hunted, often leaving behind helpless babies'.

'The word 'sly' often carries negative connotations like 'deceitful' – a wholly inaccurate and unfair perception of foxes,' Ms Allen wrote. 

''Clever', on the other hand, is synonymous with 'intelligent' and 'resourceful' – words which perfectly describe these iconic animals.

She continued: 'We hope you agree that these magnificent animals deserve our respect. 

'You can help reframe how we talk about them, which would go some way towards protecting them from cruel acts like being dug out of their homes, chased across the countryside, and viciously attacked by dogs.'

While the Sly Old Fox has so far made no public announcement as to whether it will agree to PETA's demands, the suggestion has been ridiculed on social media. 

One person wrote: 'These activists are delusional if they honestly believe foxes will be offended by a pub sign! I wasn't aware foxes could even read.'

Another posted: 'Do foxes care? Nope they just carry on being foxes. Those with too much time on their hands need to find something else to occupy their time with.

A third said: 'Foxes have been boycotting that pub for years.' 

A fourth simply wrote: 'Ridiculous.' 

A spokesperson for PETA said: 'The words we use matter, and perpetuating negative stereotypes about foxes makes it easier to justify hunting or poisoning these unique and intelligent beings.

'PETA encourages The Sly Old Fox to become The Clever Old Fox to show respect to one of Britain's most iconic native animals.' 

MailOnline has contacted the Sly Old Fox for comment. 

It comes after PETA asked the new owners of Britain's 'oldest pub' Ye Olde Fighting Cocks to rename it 'The Happy Hens' in 2022. 

Activists said the pub's name 'calls to mind the violence and cruelty of a hideous blood sport that has been outlawed in the UK for more than a century'.

They suggested Ye Olde Clever Cocks as a new name, as well as The Cheery Chooks and The Happy Hens.

Campaigners also demanded the pub, which serves classic British grub and dates to 793AD, adopt a fully plant-based menu.

Meanwhile PETA also wrote to the owner of a pub called The Old Bulldog last year asking him to change its name. 

Mike Newton, named the pub in Stoke-on-Trent after his beloved pet bulldog, Atticus and blasted the animal rights organisation's 'left-wing wokery'. 

PETA raised concerns about the health issues associated with the flat-faced breed and said it should instead be called 'The Old Mutt'. 

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Animal rights activists Peta demand any new landlord of Britain's oldest pub Ye Olde Fighting Cocks change its name to The Happy Hens and launch an all-vegan menu 

It wrote: 'Bulldogs and other flat-faced breeds are afflicted with brachycephalic syndrome, which causes laboured breathing, snorting, coughing, retching, tiring easily and fainting.

'Bulldogs have been bred so that their snouts are pushed against their skulls and there isn't enough space to accommodate healthy anatomical features, making them prone to breathing problems.

'This is the leading cause of death for bulldogs. I hope you'll agree that breeding dogs with unnatural features that cause severe health problems is cruel.

'This is why restrictions have been imposed on breeding breathing-impaired breeds in Norway and the Netherlands and why many other countries are looking to follow suit.'

Discussing the pub's name, Peta wrote: 'We would be glad to contribute to the costs of a new sign and could even help with creating an adorable mutt-focused design.'

But Mr Newton responded saying: 'I think it is very important that, while we all understand the need to provide animal welfare, our national symbols are not attacked.

'I also think the overwhelming majority of bulldogs and flat-faced breeds are happy, healthy dogs and as long as their owners care for them, feed them the right diet, and give them exercise, there is absolutely no reason why there should be any ban on them.

'The real subtext is not so much animal welfare - it is more extreme Left-wing wokery.'