Schoolchildren traumatised after PETA activists 'barbecue dog' on busy street

School children were left traumatised after animal rights activists 'barbecued a dog' on a busy street. People for the Ethical T...

School children were left traumatised after animal rights activists 'barbecued a dog' on a busy street.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) pretended to burn the fake canine in the middle of Sydney, Australia.

The stunt took place at the city's Pitt Street Mall on Thursday, where the group were protesting the eating of meat.

PETA members were seen asking the public: "If you wouldn't eat a dog, why eat a lamb?"

Meanwhile another sign on the barbecue read: "Go vegan!"

The organisation suggested opting for animal-free options at barbecues during Australia Day on Saturday.

However despite the message PETA were trying to achieve, the stunt reportedly upset youngsters who were in the city on Thursday.

One person tweeted: "PETA stopping (sic) to new lows with their stunt in Martin Place today - terrifying children on school holiday outings by barbecuing (a very lifelike) dog.

"I saw some visibly upset kids."

A fake dog was seen lying across the barbecue apparently being grilled next to corn, onions and mushrooms.

PETA said in a statement: "The idea of barbecuing dogs rightly causes outrage amongst Australians.

"Meanwhile, millions of other equally sensitive and intelligent animals are forced to endure horrific suffering when they're bred, raised and killed for the meat industry.

"Anyone who's repulsed by the prospect of chowing down on dog meat should question the incongruity of their compassion towards other animals.

"As humans, we instinctively feel compassion and empathy for animals, but we're taught that it's OK to enslave and eat some of them, without a second thought as to who they are as individuals."