NETHERLANDS: December 13, 2002

AMSTERDAM - A Dutch animal rights group said yesterday its anti-cruelty campaign using pictures of the Virgin Mary cradling a dead hare was designed to highlight how animals eaten at Christmas are farmed and slaughtered.

It has also incensed devout Christians.

The animal association Dierenbescherming placed pictures in magazines and newspapers of a mournful Mary clutching a lifeless and bleeding rabbit to her breast. Hare is traditional Christmas fare in the Netherlands.

The group said its campaign aimed to raise public awareness of cruelties associated with the intensive farming of what are naturally wild animals.

Heavenly Christmas...Don't make it too wild, urges the poster. The Dutch word for game is wild.

A Christian Democrat member of parliament and farmer, Annie Schreijer-Pierik, was outraged at the mimicking of the traditional Christmas scene of Mary cradling the baby Jesus.

The picture took the right to freedom of expression too far, she told parliament this week: Hands off my Holy Virgin Mary. Mary with a child at her breast is totally natural. Mary with a dead hare is definitely not.

Dierenbescherming spokesman Niels Dorland told Reuters: I don't understand what this woman is saying. We are using the Mary figure, a symbol of peace on earth and care for all creatures, to contrast with some of the realities of the festive season and awaken public awareness.

Our message is, don't eat these hares. Everyone can eat what they want, but they must be aware of how the animals are kept, many in tiny cages.

REUTERS NEWS SERVICE