Calgary art student kills chicken in college cafeteria

In a bizarre attempt to stage an artistic protest, a student at the Alberta College of Art and Design slaughtered a live chicken in the school’s cafeteria Thursday.

The male student, who was not arrested, allegedly cut off the chicken’s head at around noon, according to Calgary police. Police say the man was completing an assignment that had asked students to film a public protest.

Richard Brown, chair of the School of Visual Arts, says an investigation is underway.

“We do not condone the killing of animals in this way,” he said, adding some witnesses were “very traumatized,” by the demonstration while others weren’t bothered by it.

Several students weighed in on the school’s Facebook page.

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“I don’t care what the reason is, you don’t kill for art. It’s completely unacceptable,” posted Charlotte Ward.

Others, like Rhys Farrell, took a more lighthearted stance.

“It’s only a chicken, haven’t you guys heard of KFC?” he wrote.

Grief counselling is being offered on campus, says Brown. The incident, he adds, was a first for ACAD, which has been open for more than 80 years.

“I was surprised. One doesn’t come into the building expecting to encounter this kind of situation.”

Police investigated but said today that they will not lay charges.