The miracle 

(Vous pouvez lire l'histoire de Pépette en français  ici)



This is the extraordinary story of  Pépette, a laying hen found by the side of a motorway in France. 

The story of her rescue starts surprisingly enough with the still occurring bullfighting in France. Concentrated in the region of southwestern and the south of France dozens of blood-filled bullfights are held at Easter festivals and other celebratory events each year. Bullfighting, known as corrida in France, is illegal in most of the country where it's considered a crime against animals that can land offenders in prison for up to two years. However a special exemption has allowed it to continue in 11 departments. Increasingly there are more and more protests against this wilful torture of herbivores and this has resulted in the supporters of bullfighting becoming more and more violent and aggressive, even as their numbers diminish.  Demonstrations now take place almost every time a bullfight is planned to take place. In 2013 a major demonstration was organised in  Rion-des-Landes, close to the Spanish border in south west France. Around 80 protestors bought tickets and took their places in the stands. They then, en masse, descended into the arena and joined themselves together. They were taken away by the police in a none too gentle fashion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVIi7GQv1T0

Although the only casualties were amongst the protestors, one ending up in a coma, they were accused of having organised an unauthorised demonstration and of acts of violence and putting people into danger. So on  Monday the 24th of March 2014 the organisers of this manifestation had to appear before the court of first instance of Dax. One of them, a volunteer from a major association opposing the Corrida drove all the way from the Vendée to Dax to be heard the same day. She was morally supported by her friends and co-protestors. But once they arrived only she was allowed in the courtroom. The others had to wait outside all day long, in the rain.    

Pépette's rescuer was one of her supporters: 

"We had to drive in the heavy rain 4 hours going there, then 4 hours of hanging around doing nothing and 4 hours coming back. Even though it was a public hearing we were not allowed in the building. It would have been a long  trip for nothing really, if not for finding this poor little creature by the side of the road. We saw this little chicken that had obviously fallen off a truck on its way to the slaughterhouse, so we reversed  up the side  of the motorway and took her into our arms to warm her up, knowing that at least she would now have a good and happy life, being well looked after. It is a miracle! I almost wish to thank those bullfighters. If it wasn't for them and their bullfighting this chicken would probably never have been found. And I am thinking of all those who were not so lucky to have fallen off that truck .... What sadness  to see this wet little soul, without any protection or defence, in the middle of the night, waiting for a sure death, at the side of that motorway....   And all this for an egg or a piece of meat... I feel ashamed, really ashamed.... A long life for you, little Pépette!!!! " 


Pépette after a month of TLC