PETA becomes Prada shareholder to push for end of ostrich skin use

London - Following the first exposé into the farming of ostriches, which shined a light on the cruel practices used such as electrocution and plucking, PETA US has become a Prada shareholder.

The animal rights charity has acquired one share in the fashion house in order to attend Prada's annual meetings and offically call on them to end all exotic-skin uses and sales. "Every pockmarked Prada purse represents a sensitive young ostrich who was turned upside down, killed and plucked in a miserable and terrifying abattoir", commented PETA Director Mimi Bekhechi. "PETA US is taking the fight against cruelty straight to Prada's boardroom – and demanding a permanent end to ostrich-skin handbags."

The decision to take a share in Prada comes after PETA released undercover footage taken at the largest ostrich-slaughter companies in the world, which depicted young ostriches kept in barren dirt feedlots, until they are taken to be slaughtered at the age of 1. Once in the birds are in the abattoir, they are turned upside in a stunner, have their throats slit and feather ripped out to create the bumpy-skin texture featured on Prada's and other luxury handbags.

Photos: PETA