POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — This Sunday, diners heading to Tortilleria Allison on Main Street in Poughkeepsie may encounter an unexpected—and unforgettable—scene. PETA’s infamous “Hell on Wheels” truck, a grim and graphic mobile exhibit, is set to roll into the Hudson Valley with a mission: confront meat eaters with the harsh reality of the poultry industry.
The truck, which features life-size images of real chickens crammed into transport crates, is equipped with speakers that broadcast recorded cries of dying chickens, along with a subliminal message every 10 seconds urging passersby to go vegan.
A Searing Message on Cruelty and Contagion
The timing of the truck’s arrival is no coincidence. According to PETA, it comes amid a renewed public health crisis stemming from the continued spread of avian influenza. In 2025 alone, over 37 million chickens have been killed due to bird flu outbreaks across the U.S.—7 million in just the past month. The virus has also crossed species lines, infecting more than 1,000 dairy cow herds since March 2024 and causing illness in dozens of humans, including one fatality in January.
PETA argues that factory farming environments are ideal breeding grounds for zoonotic diseases—illnesses that jump from animals to humans. The group emphasizes that industrial-scale breeding and slaughter practices are not just cruel to animals but a looming threat to public health.
“Behind every chicken burrito is a once-living, sensitive individual who was crammed onto a truck for a terrifying, miserable journey to their death,” said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA’s ‘Hell on Wheels’ truck is an appeal to anyone who eats chicken or eggs to remember that these industries are cruel to birds and hazardous to human health.”
Event Details
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Where: Tortilleria Allison, 296 Main Street, Poughkeepsie
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When: Sunday, June 15, at 12 noon
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What to Expect: Realistic truck display with graphic visuals, audio of chickens in distress, and vegan advocacy messaging
A Glimpse Into Factory Farming
The gruesome sounds and visuals coming from the truck are designed to replicate the real conditions faced by chickens raised for meat and eggs in the U.S. meat industry.
According to PETA:
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Meat chickens are packed by the tens of thousands into crowded sheds, where they are bred to grow unnaturally fast. This growth often leads to crippling leg deformities because their bodies become too heavy for their skeletons to support.
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Egg-laying hens are confined in wire-floored cages so small they can’t even spread their wings, spending their entire lives without stepping on solid ground.
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At slaughterhouses, chickens are shackled upside down and run through mechanized throat-slitting machines—often while still fully conscious. Many die by being scalded alive in de-feathering tanks.
Advocacy Through Shock Value
The “Hell on Wheels” campaign uses a combination of sensory overload and unsettling imagery to challenge meat-eaters to reconsider their dietary choices. Though controversial, PETA claims the tactic is effective in sparking dialogue and self-reflection.
The truck will remain parked outside Tortilleria Allison during the Sunday lunch rush, placing its message directly in front of a crowd consuming some of the very products it protests.
PETA’s ultimate goal? Encourage diners to opt for plant-based meals instead of participating in what they call a system of cruelty and exploitation.
Resources and Support for the Curious
In addition to the truck display, PETA offers multiple resources for those interested in making a lifestyle change:
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Free Vegan Starter Kit – Available on PETA.org, the kit includes recipes, nutrition advice, and shopping tips for those new to plant-based living.
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Empathy Kits – Designed for those struggling to connect with animal welfare issues, these kits provide educational tools that encourage compassion toward all living beings.
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Social Media Engagement – PETA maintains active profiles on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram to spread awareness and connect with younger audiences.
The Bigger Picture
The “Hell on Wheels” tour is just one part of PETA’s larger nationwide campaign to eliminate animal suffering in the food system. By exposing the public to the hidden suffering behind everyday meals, PETA hopes to not only alter eating habits but also influence broader consumer behavior and policy decisions.
Whether you support their methods or not, the arrival of “Hell on Wheels” in the Hudson Valley is certain to leave an impression.
To learn more about PETA’s campaigns or to get involved, visit www.peta.org.
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