PETA wants to turn Va. prison into chicken museum

[March 19, 2010]  TROUTVILLE, Va. (AP) -- An animal rights group wants to rent a prison building the state plans to close and turn it into the nation's first chicken empathy museum.

A People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals official sent a letter Monday to Gov. Tim Kaine asking to rent the Botetourt Correctional Center building in Troutville.

Kaine spokeswoman Lynda Tran said the state doesn't lease to private entities except for cases grandfathered in when it purchases buildings.

PETA spokeswoman Ashley Byrne said the Norfolk-based group thinks a former prison is the ideal setting for exhibits on what it contends is mistreatment of chickens raised for slaughter.

Reiman said the museum also would have displays detailing chickens' habits and intelligence.

[Associated Press]

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