Beta Theta Pi Suspends U of Kansas Chapter -- Animal Cruelty Allegations
 

See Kansas City Star story for allegations regarding animal cruelty:

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/12/17...gated-for.html

excerpt from ^^:
“By LEE HILL KAVANAUGH
..
The Kansas University chapter that is facing allegations of animal cruelty involving a turkey was suspended indefinitely today by the Beta Theta Pi national organization. . . . “

I feel bad for the turkey. :(

Stories like this disturb me.

Wow. Why would anyone do such a thing? :(

I agree. What is wrong with people?

WTF! This is severely messed up. I agree with the commenter on that article who says WTF about being able to RENT a turkey in the first place.

Wow... words escape me right now...

A turkey?

In Kansas?

I mean I can understand renting a deer in NYC for the above reasons, but this is just WEIRD.

Turkey Pull *LONG* History...
 

I found a newspaper from 1964 online at http://news.google.com/newspapers?ni...g=4457,7126600

That indicated that the 1964 Turkey Pull at Beta Theta Pi was the 90th annual. This would put the first one in 1875! (The chapter received its charter in 1873).

I also found the Beta Theta Pi fraternity magazine/Newsletter from 1914 talking about that being the 40th annual.

So, I can't imagine that they've done this cruelty at every Turkey Pull for the last 140ish years, what changed?

A little more. This article contains the texts of statements issued by the KU chapter and Beta HQ. Plus assorted other information:

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012...allegedly-abus

Update: Beta Theta Pi HQ Stipulates Conditions for Kansas Chapter

Beta HQ has set conditions / requirements for the KU chapter; an investigation is reportedly not yet concluded.

See

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2013/ma...addressing-al/

Update: Community Service (1,000 hours) and fine ($5,000). See news report from a site in Kansas:

http://m.cjonline.com/news/2013-09-1...mal-abuse-case

I can't read this and will just assume from all of the other reactions this was horrible. Shaking my head.

Oh wow... that's horrific.