JOEL BANNER BAIRD

Free Press Staff Writer

An animal-rights group has called for the University of Vermont to expel three students whom police say stole and ate a neighbor's chicken.

A letter Friday from the youth division of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also asks university President Thomas Sullivan to prohibit animal husbandry by campus groups.

"Cruelty to animals should be taken seriously and I hope the university will send the message that bullying and abusing anyone is unacceptable," wrote Marta Holmberg, who coordinates youth outreach for the group peta2.

State's Attorney T.J. Donovan declined Wednesday to prosecute any of the first-year students accused of stealing and killing the chicken.

The cases involving 18-year-olds Cameron Dube, Darien Newman and Hannah Jackmanl cases were referred to the university's reparative board, where "the students in question are moving through well-established review processes," wrote UVM spokesman Enrique Corredera in an email to the Free Press.

"We are confident that appropriate consequences will be determined following all due process," he added. "With regard to the issue of Greek houses having the ability to own farm animals, that can best be addressed through city ordinance."

.Earlier: UVM police suspect students stole, killed and ate a chicken

Contact Joel Banner Baird at 660-1843 or joelbaird@FreePressMedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vtgoingup.

The full text of the letter to Sullivan follows:

December 12, 2014

E. Thomas Sullivan, J.D.

President

University of Vermont

Dear Mr. Sullivan:

I'm writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 3 million members and supporters, including those who live in Vermont, in response to news that three University of Vermont students — Cameron Dube, Darien Newman, and Hannah Jackman — were cited in court for stealing and killing a chicken from the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, which often keeps farmed animals on its property.

Dube was reportedly also cited for cruelty to animals for his role in the killing of the chicken.

Cruelty to animals should be taken seriously, and I hope the university will send the message that bullying and abusing anyone is unacceptable.

I urge you to expel the students who stole, killed, and ate the chicken.

I hope you will also prohibit Greek-life organizations from keeping animals other than dogs and cats to prevent such incidents from happening again.

It's inappropriate to keep chickens and other farmed animals in a frat-house setting. These animals have unique needs that cannot be met by students with busy schedules.

Chickens, for example, are social animals who live in family groups, care for one another, and mourn when they lose a loved one.

Mother hens even "talk" to their unborn chicks by clucking gently to them while they're still in the shell. The chicks chirp back and to each other.

Studies show that these smart birds can anticipate the future and demonstrate self-control — something I can't say for everyone.

I hope you will show students that the University of Vermont doesn't tolerate animal abuse or other unlawful actions. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Marta Holmberg

Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns