I Killed The Prom Queen respond to PETA backlash

Following the social media backlash against Jona Weinhofen's involvement in PETA's new campaign, I Killed The Prom Queen have since issued a lengthy response.

The new campaign from the animal rights organisation launched a couple of days ago and was primarily centered around the inhumane nature of the wool industries and of the untold cost of animal life within it. The photo which started the controversy starring the bearded guitarist/singer can be found below. Some may find it a bit unsettling, despite the "lamb" in the photo being a mere prop.

Many fans have since called out the band and the not-for-profit group (who always seems to be getting into trouble nowadays) with misleading information and distorting the view of sheep shearing and the final look and result of this practice. Over the past day or so, the Australian mainstream media has also come to comment on it and take notice.

The band's somewhat lengthy post regarding the matter can be found below, which was taken directly from their Facebook post (found at the very bottom), as well as a video for the PETA campaign, both of which have also been criticised for the way they've been handled.

"Hi all,

Seeing as the new Peta campaign has made it onto mainstream Australian news, is being commented on by government ministers & we’re being bombarded by angry farmers online, we thought we’d add something with a bit more information than the one-off photo. Most of you who are familiar with the band over the last 15 years are aware of iktpq's vegan & vegetarian members. While we have some lyrics about the ethics behind animals in the livestock industry, it hasn't been the centre-point of the band, we all have friends, loved-ones & family who of course aren’t vegetarian, we aren’t anti-farmer & we’re not angry teens year olds inciting anything extreme. Other than we think veganism/vegetarian is extremely positive and worth checking out. We know farmers are hard working & often dealing with ongoing financial & emotional hardships, but that doesn't mean everyone should turn a blind eye to the cruel practices the animals have to cope with during their existence in the livestock industry. Of course this isn't a product of farmers being vindictive or bad people at all, but merely because the animals involved are considered possessions to turn a profit, with maximum efficiency & minimal-to-no care for the physical or psychological well-being of the creatures, outside of those with an economic impact. In 2015 we feel that most people who would see an injured animal would think to care for it, rather than to eat it, or cut off its skin or fur as none of that is necessary in the world we’re lucky enough to live in & thats why the practices in these industries are worth most people looking into. So they can be aware if they're supporting something with their purchasing dollar, that they would not knowingly support.