We all love a good sexy calendar, but the student body at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in the UK took the concept a bit too far for some.
A photo featuring seven veterinarians-to-be posing naked with sheep elicited strong condemnation from a vegan activist group, so much so that the school issued a formal apology and vowed to remove the photo from the upcoming calendar.
In the photo, the students are using a technique called “tipping,” which under normal circumstances allows vets to examine parts of the sheep that aren’t usually visible. In this case, they’re using it to cover their genitals.
In a Facebook post, the Veterinary Vegan Network (VVN) called the photo “deeply disturbing.”
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The post was eventually deleted, however, as several commenters began writing threatening messages aimed at the students.
Related: Instagram removed this pic for “nudity or sexual activity,” model cries foul
Stuart Reid, RVC’s principal, apologized but said there was “no place for harassment or threats.”
“It is with a rather heavy heart that I pen this note to a rather wider readership than I might have anticipated,” he said. “For a number of years, the RVC student body in final year have produced a calendar, a proportion of whose proceeds go to nominated charities.
“There can be no denying that in more recent times these activities have started to divide opinion, both within the RVC community and in wider society.”
“No student is being blamed, individually or collectively, and we will work together to ensure these events do not happen again,” he added.
“To those who have taken offence at the calendar, I apologise. It may have fallen short of the standards some expect in terms of animal welfare, but that responsibility is mine. The complaints and attacks should be directed to me and me alone.”
We won’t pretend you didn’t read this story hoping to see the photo, so here it is:
ingyaom
I think the vegans just (unintentionally) sold a lot of calendars by making a big deal out of this.
Chrisk
Of all things to get upset about. I guess the warning should have been added. No sheep was harmed in filming this.
LostMyClothesAgain
I have taken nude photos of myself tipping many otters as well as a few bears and pigs. Never has a vegan complained about it.
Jon in Canada
The only good vegan is one hanging upside down on a meat hook waiting to become Soylent Green. Honestly, I am beyond done with their incessant moralizing and willful ignorance.
controversial2019
Because we as a community aren’t incessantly going on about morals and ethics we care about? Sure…sure.
boymikefl
I hope you don’t have a pet.
nitejonboy
Man I’d love to milk those boys,err, sheep, err,cows…
Baldmedic64
Good point, well made!
Chipper
I do not understand why vegans would care? it does not make sense. Sheep are meat, just because the students were naked, does not really have anything to do with vegans. So what is their problem, the vegans were nudist vegans. and were not invited to attend?
boymikefl
It’s about abuse. Maybe you like to be manhandled but, I doubt sheep do.
Hussain-TheCanadian
Actually I understand why pictures like this would upset people; the Sheep are being used as a prop in this picture, those young men have no right to treat those poor animals so nonchalantly.
These animals deserve love, respect, and compassion; when our culture allows disrespecting animals like this, it begins to make sense why so many cattle farms abuse their animals so cruelly.
rustyiam
Sarcasm???
Chipper
you are really one piece of work.
Itsonlythetruth
Are you serious?
Chipper
You are really one piece of work. The sheep are fine. They have not been disrespected. but people like you like to disrespect everything and everyone.. grow up.
boymikefl
Well said. Don’t force animals to do sh*t just to get your rocks off. Plus put some clothes on, I just ate.
masterwill7
I agree with Hussain, yes we eat them, but until we do, you have to treat animals with respect in my opinion. It’s not necessary to use them for nonsense like this. That being said, those threatening vegas are beyond crazy!
jrex100
Very nicely said. Thank you.
chupacabra
whoever thought of the pic should be examined for STIs
Jerry
Good grief, it’s not like they ate them. Everyone is always offended by something.
Terrycloth
I heard of pulling the wool over your eyes ..its lunch and later you can make a sweater
Man About Town
But they’re not naked; they’re wearing boots!
Amber LeMay
Remember, “Baa” means “no!”
Garth
Hey its the cold time of the year. Never heard of winter woolies?
OzJosh
Seriously?! “Tipping” a sheep like this is exactly what shearers do every time they shear a sheep. It doesn’t hurt the sheep at all. Of course, I’ve heard idiot vegans object to shearing as well. But if sheep bred for wool are not shorn they’ll become a tangled, matted mess and likely die as a result. The problem here is not vets practicing skills they will need to treat animals humanely for their entire careers; it’s dumb “activists” with no idea of how the real world works.
boymikefl
What are you a vet? Get over yourself.
gayjim1969
When interviewed by a reporter after this picture went public, the sheep were asked how they felt while the picture was being taken. As one, they bleated, “Baaad!”
AnnMargretFan
Damn!
That lucky photographer!
Next time, I call dibs on standing next to the guy on the far right!
Or is it the far left?
Hmmm…
StudMuffin
I get dibs on the guy on the left side of the picture.
Talk about using a woolly to cover your Jewels!
frankcar1965
My god, can imagine all the STI’s they might contract? Not a condom in site and I bet not a one is on Prep!
lovethyneighbor
I’m not into taking nudes with animals; however, I think that the vegans are overreacting. When did defending animals become a higher priority than taking up causes for humans getting equal rights? Chill out, people. These are future veterinarians just having a little bit of fun, and the sheep weren’t hurt.
Itsonlythetruth
Vegans get over it, they’re holding the sheep not slaughtering them.
boymikefl
Any animal used for people’s amusement at the expense of the animal, is wrong. All I see are dirty pigs being pigs. I’m really surprised not more compassion from gay folks in this post.
PugsBuddy
Lawd, have mercy! Who’re the hairy bookends? I’ve only got so many holes (too crude?).
djmcgamester
Extremist vegans need to get a life. I used to be a vegan and I never stressed about this stuff. I made my own choices for my own reasons. Bullying people does not send an encouraging message to others.