Sign the Petition
Target: Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman and CEO of Meta
Goal: Prevent proliferation of content featuring torture and killing of animals.
A cat is shot with an air gun and suffers a ruptured spleen. A fox and a hedgehog lose their lives from suspected catapult attacks. These harrowing incidents represent just a few of the 370-plus weapon-related animal attacks that took place in England and Wales in just one year’s time. Statistics suggest that animal cruelty crimes involving slingshots, crossbows, catapults, and air guns have risen by roughly a quarter, with cats disproportionately targeted in these heinous attacks.
Other reports indicate that sick social media trends may be driving these soaring rates. In many cases, perpetrators film themselves performing these cruel attacks in the hopes of gaining attention on online platforms. One particularly troubling investigation uncovered an alleged network of young children who reportedly intentionally tortured and killed animals with catapults. The apparent acts were then distributed on the WhatsApp messaging platform.
WhatsApp is owned by Meta, which has faced intense scrutiny for violent content on its Facebook and Instagram platforms as well. Sign the petition below to demand this powerful influencer do more to stop the rampant and unchecked spread of animal cruelty online.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Zuckerberg,
A recent survey from the United Kingdom found that nearly half of youth have reported seeing online animal cruelty within the past year. Meta’s WhatsApp messaging service alone allegedly helped proliferate content that reportedly depicted violent catapult attacks against animals by children. Even viral trends depicting the taunting of pets is a slippery slope that can lead to larger cruelties.
Despite various laws against some of these practices, the cruelty continues. Please be a social media leader in combating and neutralizing this disturbing rise in inhumanity. Take every measure possible to ensure Meta and its platforms are not a home for animal cruelty.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Jessica Lewis: The Painted Square
