An international animal rights group and a veterinary organisation have called for a boycott of Hong Kong online retailer HKTVmall after its parent company confirmed tests on detached pigs’ and sheep’s heads and limbs. The groups staged a one-hour protest on Friday outside the HKTVmall building in Tseung Kwan O, demanding more details and an end to animal testing.
The Hong Kong Technology Venture Company, parent of online retailer HKTVmall, revealed the life science project in its annual results on March 30. It tests the viability of detached heads and limbs from pigs and sheep, claiming it is a world first with potential applications in organ transplants and extending human lifespans.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia (Peta) and a veterinary organisation held a one-hour protest on Friday outside the HKTVmall building in Tseung Kwan O. Four activists, dressed in bloodstained clothing and wearing pig and sheep masks, stood on red paper resembling a pool of blood while holding banners calling for an end to “cruel decapitation tests”.
“We are calling for HKTVmall and its parent company to cease doing any animal experiments and to switch to the more modern non-animal testing methods. And until then, we also urge the public and their customers to boycott HKTVmall for what they have been doing,” said Jackie Tang Kwok-fai, campaigner for Peta Asia. The protesters highlighted that the animals are sentient beings capable of feeling horror and pain.
The company has not responded to the protest demands.
