Animal rights group slammed for 'undermining real issues' in row over name of West Midlands pub

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals group, more commonly known as Peta, wrote to owners of The Sly Old Fox on Hurst Street to ask them to consider changing their name, the BBC reports.

Elisa Allen from the campaign group asked them to consider swapping "sly" with "clever" as the organisation believes the current name is "derogatory" and carries "negative connotations". 

She wrote: "The word 'sly' often carries negative connotations like 'deceitful' – a wholly inaccurate and unfair perception of foxes."

Allen also argued that foxes were "magnificent animals" with "unearned reputations" and offered to help the pub with rebranding costs. 

However, members of the public have taken a stand against the organisations request and instead, accused them of undermining real issues after asking a pub to change its name.

One X user branded it "ridiculous", as another commented: "So much to support you on but not this. It simply trivialises the issues. If this is true it's a silly thing to say and will work to undo the good work vegans have been doing for years." A third commented: "Please don't let young 'hotheads' undermine our cause."

But Allen has defended her request and urged people to view research on language used to describe animals.

"Those who have their knickers in a twist over a friendly suggestion to give The Sly Old Fox a more cheerful, more accurate name would do well to look at the research, which indicates the language we use to describe other animals can affect how we view and treat them," she said.

"If institutions have the chance of rebranding themselves in a way that not only better reflects who these animals truly are but could also inspire more reverence for foxes, why not take it?"

The Express and Star have reached out to The Sly Old Fox for a comment.