Coca-Cola is dragged into culling row after calling off plans to kill foxes ‘causing damage’ to factory in London following backlash from animal campaigners
- Coca-Cola planned to carry out a cull at its factory in Sidcup, South-East London
- Animal right campaigners threatened to boycott the soft drinks giant over plans
- Despite claims of a ‘mass cull,’ Coca-Cola claims it only planned to kill one fox
Coca-Cola has been dragged into a culling row after backlash from animal campaigners led it to call off plans to kill foxes it said were ‘causing damage,’ to its London factory.
The soft drinks giant was branded ‘barbaric,’ by campaigners – but it claims it only initially set out to kill one fox at its plant in Sidcup, in South-East London.
The multi-billion-dollar company said it had ordered the cull to stop foxes damaging the site, which dates back to 1961.
It has now apolgoised and committed to finding a more humane alternative to keep the on-site fox population under control.
Coca-Cola was branded ‘barbaric,’ by campaigners – but it claims it only set out to kill one fox at its plant in Sidcup, in South-East London.
It is not known if any foxes were exterminated before campaigners forced Coca Cola into a climbdown.
A Coca Cola European Partners spokesman said: ‘We have listened to what people told us – completely understand the concerns they have raised – and are sorry if anyone has been upset by the approach we took to control foxes.
‘We can confirm that we have stopped the practice of culling foxes with immediate effect and will never do so again.
‘We are now in the process of finding an alternative, and more humane, control.’
A Coca-Cola spokesperson also suggested claims it had planned a ‘mass cull’ were exaggerated – saying it only initially wanted to cull one fox.
It is legal to use traps and snares to catch foxes but they must then be killed humanely, according to Government guidance.
It is also legal to shoot free foxes using suitable firearms and ammunition but guns shouldn’t be used in urban areas for obvious reasons of public safety.
Despite the U-turn, campaigners are still furious and continued to slam Coca-Cola European Partners’ online.
It is legal to use traps and snares to catch foxes but they must then be killed humanely, according to Government guidance. Coca-Cola committed to finding a more humane alternative to keep the on-site fox population under control
Connie McLennan: ‘This is absolutely barbaric! How could you be so cruel, your monsters if this goes through!
‘But we’re just the little people fighting these huge corporations and CEOs who have no moral responsibilities!
‘It’s all money, politics, power, shame on you Coca-Cola.’
Pauline Kempley added: ‘Monstrous!
And Pauline Cross blasted : ‘My God what century are we in? So barbaric!’
MailOnline has approached Coca-Cola for comment.
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