PETA Asks SFO to Hold The Pork

SAN FRANCISCO - An animal advocacy organization is asking the San Francisco International Airport to hold the pork, after the airport announced it had introduced a pig as part of its animal therapy program.

In a statement issued Friday, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, also known as PETA, said the pigs that are used for food are confined to poor housing conditions and subjected to cruel treatment.

Last Monday, SFO officials debuted LiLou, a female Juliana breed pig, as part of a program called the Wag Brigade, which brings in pets certified by the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals with the goal of providing animal therapy for travelers, airport officials said.

LiLou is the first known airport therapy pig in the country, according to airport officials.

"Encouraging travelers to pet one pig while serving the flesh of others simply doesn't fly," PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said in the statement. "San Francisco International Airport can protect pigs and passengers' health by encouraging its restaurants to cut the pork and serve tasty, cruelty-free vegan meats instead."

In an attempt to encourage travelers to protect pigs like LiLou, PETA said it hopes to place a series of vegan ads throughout the airport.

- Bay City News / Image via flySFO‏@flySFO on Twitter