Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Brad Pitt Joins Ryan Gosling In Crying Foul Over Costco's Caged Chickens
Joining the mostly Dreamy Team. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
()
Brad Pitt may be unfazed by where Subway gets the ingredients for his sandwich, but where his eggs come from is a different story.
Pitt is joining a growing list of celebrities, including Ryan Gosling and Bill Maher, who are criticizing Costco for contributing to animal cruelty by selling eggs from caged hens. Like birds of a feather, the stars are demanding that the discount store no longer source their eggs from farms that confine chickens in tiny cages. They argue the tight quarters and unsanitary conditions cause significant harm to the birds, according to the Associated Press. In a letter sent today to Costco's CEO Craig Jelinek, Pitt points out that the caged birds suffer atrophy of their muscles and bones from years of immobility.
Using what we can only assume would be a gruffly earnest and stern voice, the Fury actor explains, "As you know, these birds producing eggs for your shelves are crammed five or more into cages that are not large enough for even one hen to spread her wings." He goes on to say, "In short, cramming hens into cages for their entire lives constitutes cruelty to animals, and animals deserve better."
Last week, Maher targeted the chain over the same issue in his New York Times editorial, "Free The Hens, Costco!" The host, and long time animal welfare advocate, contends:
Support for LAist comes from
Multiple investigations into battery cages document animals with deteriorated spinal cords, some who have become paralyzed and then mummified in their cages...Imagine cramming five cats or dogs into tiny cages, hundreds of thousands in each shed, for their entire lives. That would warrant cruelty charges, of course. But when the egg industry does it to hens, it's considered business as usual.
And last month, Gosling demanded that the bulk retailer go cage-free, and we know how seriously he takes his breakfast. Referring to an undercover video from the Humane Society, which allegedly shows the coop conditions of one of Costco's biggest egg suppliers, The Notebook star criticizes the practice, "Video footage revealed abhorrent cruelty including rows upon rows of birds confined in filth-laden cages with the mummified corpses of their cage-mates—eating, sleeping, defecating, and laying eggs on top of dead birds."
The stars are urging Costco to make good on the company's 2007 promise to stop using caged chickens for eggs. But in a statement in June, the company sounded a bit on the fence about the issue, explaining that there are "vigorous debates about animal welfare and laying hens." The letter went on to say that, "Some, such as the Humane Society, advocate that hens be "cage free," and not confined in cages. Some advocate that cages are safer for hens."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist