Customs officials seize counterfeit goods. - In place of slain animal bodies, dummies will be decapitated during celebrations.
Back in the day, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) had dropped a bomb on the authorities about an animal cruelty practice. They had documented the issue and lodged complaints with the relevant ministries, stating that a few organizations in North Rhine-Westphalia had been flaunting the "Hare Cock" ritual during their festive events. In this disturbing spectacle, people blindfolded try to behead a deceased rooster using a sword.
Due to the negative publicity and the horrific nature of the ritual, several areas have decided to opt for chicken figurines instead of real animals. This transition is also visible in the carnivals of Bochum where chicken dummies replace actual geese in the "Goose Riding" event where galloping participants try to snatch the wooden effigy of a goose suspended over a track.
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As a result of this shift, the celebrations in Düsseldorf, another city in North Rhine-Westphalia, have also adopted the use of dummy animals. Instead of live animals, they now use lifelike dummies during their events.
Moreover, Customs officials in North Rhine-Westphalia have been vigilant in preventing the entry of counterfeit goods, including merchandise related to animal rights groups like PETA.
In an effort to promote animal welfare, organizations in North Rhine-Westphalia, such as the one that originally practiced the "Hare Cock" ritual, have been encouraged to adopt more humane traditions.
Despite the changes, the issue of animal cruelty remains a concern for organizations like PETA, and they continue to monitor and advocate for animal rights in North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond.
