Jeremy Clarkson has faced numerous challenges since opening his pub, The Farmer’s Dog, in Burford, West Oxfordshire, including theft, vandalism, and recent protests. During a recent episode of Clarkson’s Farm, he revealed that an astonishing 400 pint glasses are stolen weekly from the pub, alongside other items such as £200 worth of cooking oil, lightbulbs, and urinal taps. These issues add to earlier difficulties with utilities, including electricity and water supply, and increased demands on his Diddly Squat Farm livestock to supply food for the busy venue.
Last week, Clarkson was met with a protest staged by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) outside The Farmer’s Dog. Activists placed a lifelike dog prop near the pub, with a campaigner dressed in a chef’s apron holding barbecue tongs at a simulated grill. The demonstration aimed to promote plant-based vegan diets, featuring signs that read: “Wouldn’t eat the farmer’s dog? Why eat a pig!”
In his column for The Sun, Clarkson addressed the protestors directly, particularly calling out one individual he had encountered before at a farming festival, previously dressed as a broccoli. Clarkson wrote, “Humans only eat plants, or animals that live on plants. We do not eat animals that eat meat and that’s why we don’t eat dogs. Clear? Good. So now if you’re reading this, take off your broccoli outfit and get a job.”
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He further warned the protester, stating, “If you turn up at the pub again, be advised, as a vegan it is perfectly acceptable and safe to put you in one of the ovens and serve you up with some nice potatoes and a couple of buttered carrots.”
PETA explained their protest on their website, describing it as an effort to “inspire thought for food” by drawing attention to the ethical parallels between pigs and common pets. Kate Werner, PETA’s senior campaigns manager, wrote, “Many of us are raised to mindlessly consider some animals ‘friends’ and some animals ‘food’, but when we really stop to think about it, a pig’s life is no less valuable than a puppy’s, and neither belong on our plates.”
She also highlighted the intelligence and emotional capacity of pigs, noting, “Clarkson says he’s ‘always been fond of pigs’, and he – and other patrons – ought to put that fondness into practice and leave pigs off their plates. Because there’s no more reason to eat a pig than a dog.”
Clarkson has experienced repeated criticism from animal rights groups over the years, particularly for his remarks about vegetarians and vegans. His Diddly Squat Farm restaurant notably does not offer vegetarian or vegan options, with a sign stating: “Yes, we have no vegetarian food.”
Looking ahead, Jeremy Clarkson will return to hosting Millionaire Hot Seat, airing Monday night at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.