Hundreds flock to Pammie's KFC protest

Reuters

NO CAGES: Pamela Anderson has staged a protest against animal cruelty at a Gold Coast KFC outlet.

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Former Baywatch babe and long-time vegetarian Pamela Anderson has taken time out of her Big Brother schedule to stage a protest against animal cruelty at a Gold Coast fast-food store.

The 41-year-old sex symbol and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) supporter was swamped by a massive media pack as she arrived at the Labrador KFC store dressed in short red shorts and a low-cut shirt.

She fought her way through a crowd of 100 to hand a staff member a letter protesting against KFC's treatment of chickens, addressed to the managing director of KFC's parent company in Australia, Albert Baladi.

"I've been in Australia filming Big Brother, in which my housemates and I are confined and sealed off from the outside world, much like the chickens who are crammed inside barns for KFC," the letter reads.

"Fortunately, I won't be stomped to death, have my legs broken or be scalded to death in a tank of hot water, yet as Peta's undercover videos have revealed, the chickens raised for KFC's restaurants in Australia often suffer these abuses."

An accompanying video allegedly documents the mistreatment of chickens by KFC suppliers, and includes footage from Australia.

In the letter, Anderson urges KFC's Australian arm to adopt less cruel methods of slaughter.

"There's new ways to do things, there's more humane ways to do things and everyone just needs to get with the times and become more humane," she told media outside the store.

But KFC this evening released a statement defending itself.

"KFC does not own or operate any chicken farms but works with reputable suppliers, industry and government authorities regarding humane farming practices in accordance with Australian regulations," it said.

Anderson said she had been paid a "huge" amount to appear in the Big Brother reality show, which is incidentally sponsored by KFC.

She admitted she had not been aware KFC was a major sponsor before signing up for the role.

"Every show has a bunch of sponsors and it's not something you look into when you are offered a job," she said.

"But it's kind of interesting, it's a coincidence."

*To see photos of Pamela Anderson's protest, click here.

- AAP