PETA Offers Reward In Case Of Severed Pig Head In Front Of Philly Mosque

Calling it a hate crime, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) added a significant cash reward to the Mayor’s reward for information leading to a conviction of the individuals responsible for leaving a severed pig’s head in front of a north Philadelphia mosque.

PETA is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for what they are terming a hate crime.

PETA’s contribution doubles the reward offered by Philadelphia Mayor Nutter, bringing the total reward to $4,000.

Pigs are offensive to Muslims who practice strict dietary habits of halal.

“This hateful act in which a dead animal was used to denigrate human beings demonstrates a complete lack of empathy, and that spells bad news for the entire community,” PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement. “PETA is urging anyone with information to come forward immediately.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—has also asked permission to place a banner adjacent to the mosque that promotes peace for every living being—regardless of religion, nationality, or species.

“We urge American Muslims to remain vigilant and take extra safety measures,” said Sadyia Khalique, a spokesperson for the Council on Islamic and American Relations. “The lives of American Muslims have been placed in danger by the rising anti-Muslim hysteria in our nation and by the inflammatory rhetoric used by a number of national public figures.”

The bloodied head was found at around 6 a.m. Monday morning at the Al Aqsa Islamic Society mosque on Germantown Avenue, according to Philly.com.

Surveillance footage showed a red pickup truck drive past twice and throw an item from a passenger window at about 11 p.m. Sunday night, the report states.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department tip line at215-686-8477.

To read more, see our previous reporting on this case here.