The Royal Veterinary College got into trouble with some vegans because of the above racy photo.
Every year, students at the RVC release a NSFW calendar as a charity program. Like the Red Hot, Warwick Rowers’, or multiple Firefighter calendars, the RVC calendar shows people tastefully photographed without their clothes. Most of the time, their private areas are covered by random objects/obstructions and creative poses. But now, one photo from the Royal Veterinary College’s calendar has upset vegan activists for the way the men covered their crotches. Namely, with living sheep.
Specifically, the photo shows seven male students from the London school holding the sheep over their bare privates. The sheep are forced in a sitting position with their heads in front of the men’s crotches and their arms held up by the smiling students. The animal-handling method is known as “tipping.”
According to the Guardian, the Royal Veterinary College has had to pull the photo from the calendar. Once shared on Facebook, the photo received instant backlash. The Veterinary Vegan Network condemned the image. The group called the photo “deeply disturbing.” In addition, some RVC students have received threats of violence.
“To those who have taken offense at the calendar, I apologize. It may have fallen short of the standards some expect in terms of animal welfare, but that responsibility is mine,” said Principal Stuart Reid in a statement after the controversy.
“The complaints and attacks should be directed to me and me alone,” he added.
Sources: The Guardian, NY Post