McCartney, PETA take KFC to task

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has enlisted the help of Paul McCartney in its campaign against Kentucky Fried Chicken. An open letter from McCartney to David Novak, chairman of KFC’s Louisville-based parent company, Yum! Brands Inc., appeared in Thursday’s edition of the Courier-Journal.

McCartney, a vegetarian, says in the ad that Novak should improve the treatment of 750 million chickens raised annually in “factory farms” and killed in “frightening ways” for KFC.

“Paul McCartney is a music legend, and he’s entitled to his opinion, but we think he’s misinformed,” said Jonathan Blum, senior vice president for public affairs for Yum! Brands. “KFC is committed to the well-being and humane treatment of chickens. While PETA would prefer a world of vegetarians, most people disagree, so we think PETA should follow one of Sir Paul’s songs and just ‘Let It Be.’ ”

-- Associated Press