PETA Holds Bikini-Clad Protest In South Charlotte

Members of the group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA , are known for using risqué methods to bring attention to their causes.

Friday morning in Ballantyne, commuters got to see the organization’s latest campaign firsthand.

A woman, clothed only in a bikini, mouse ears and a tail, laid in the grass on the side of the road in a simulated glue trap.

The location for the demonstration was not random. Just behind the PETA protest was the Ballantyne Resort, where Lowe’s Inc. held its annual shareholder’s meeting at the same time.

PETA said it is targeting Lowe’s because while other retailers, such as Walgreen's, CVS, Rite Aid, Albertsons, and Safeway have pulled glue traps from their inventory—Lowe’s continues to sell them.

So, why does PETA have a problem with glue traps?

“They ensnare any small animal that crosses their path. They are absolutely indiscriminate, so mice, birds, even kittens have been caught on these. They struggle to free themselves for days until they finally starve to death,” said PETA spokesperson Cassandra Curbelo.

WSOCTV.com contacted Lowe’s to get a response to both the protest and the assertion that glue traps are inhumane. The Charlotte-area Fortune 500 company replied quickly.

“The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends glue traps as a safe and affordable alternative to poisons, and we are committed to providing our customers with the options they request. We have also listened to PETA’s concerns and have changed our merchandise offering to cut in half the number of glue traps we offer,” said Lowe’s spokesperson Chris Ahearn.

As for the protest, Aheam went on to say that the meeting going on inside was their focus, not the demonstration outside.

“While we respect PETA’s right to express their opinion today, this meeting is focused on Lowe’s business and our continued commitment to serve our customers and shareholders,” said Aheam.

To that end, PETA bought 123 shares of Lowe’s, a relatively small number, but enough that they were allowed to attend the shareholder’s meeting and bring up glue trap sales for discussion.

To see a slideshow and video of the protest, check the sidebar of this article.