KU Fraternity Chapter Accused of Abusing Turkey Punished by National Headquarters

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Beta Theta Pi fraternity's national spokesman says its University of Kansas chapter can no longer allow live animals at its events after a turkey was abused and later killed at a December function. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the Kansas chapter also must host a service project benefiting an animal-related organization and will host an animal-rights speaker.* The national Beta Theta Pi organization has hired a private investigator to look into the Kansas case, but the inquiry has not yet concluded. The organization says the turkey incident happened during a formal dinner known as the "Turkey Pull," which has been going on at the fraternity for more than 100 years. The fraternity is currently under suspension by the national group, and new guidelines require the expulsion of any member convicted of animal abuse. – Kansas Public Radio, March 7, 2013

United Poultry Concerns has reported on this Dec. 14, 2012 animal cruelty episode since December , and we have written to the Douglas County District Attorney, The University of Kansas Chancellor, the KU chapter of Beta Theta Pi, and the Beta Theta Pi national office in Ohio. We have successfully urged our members and supporters to write strong letters, for which we thank you!

For Background and Contact Information, see Students Tortured a Turkey to Death at a Fraternity Drinking Party

Below are the links to UPC’s most recent correspondences posted on our Website under What’s New. We urge people to continue pressing the District Attorney to prosecute the fraternity members who intentionally abused and killed the defenseless turkey for fun at the fraternity party. They violated Kansas Cruelty to Animals Statute 21-4310 which defines Cruelty to Animals as “Intentionally killing, injuring, maiming, torturing or mutilating any animal.”

To read the correspondences, click on:

UPC's Follow-up Letters Regarding the Beta Theta Pi Turkey Abuse Episode on December 14, 2012 at The University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS 22 February 2013

Justin Warren, Director of Beta Theta Pi Chapter Operations, on Steps Taken Thus Far to Prevent Future Animal Abuse Episodes 1 March 2013