Vegan activists slammed for sticking fake QR codes on Melbourne butcher shop that instead sent them to animal rights propaganda to scare customers into quitting meat
Vegan activists have tried to scare Melburnians off meat by sticking a fake QR check in at the front of a butchers that redirects to their propaganda.
Bell's Quality Meat in Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula fell victim to activists' outrageous scam on Sunday.
Carol Campbell discovered the deception when she tried to check-in at the store before buying some meat to feed her family.
She said instead of the code directing her to Services Victoria, it sent her to the 'Don't Watch' website.
Gavin Kirkpatrick had his Covid-19 check-in poster vandalised by vegan activists on Sunday, who placed fake QR codes over the sign redirecting users to its website
'I didn't click through. To be honest I was too scared,' she told The Herald Sun.
Gavin Kirkpatrick, owner of the small butcher, labelled the stunt 'aggressive and dangerous.'
'We're trying to keep people safe. But how can we do that if they can't check in properly?'
Don't Watch promotes a vegan diet and plant-based lifestyle, encouraging members to distribute its website via stickers, chalking, and signs.
The website also offers links to stencil print-outs, QR code sticker packs, and T-shirts brandishing the tagline 'cut fruit, not throats'.
A customer discovered the hoax after the QR code directed them to a vegan activism website instead of Services Victoria
Don't Watch promotes plant based living and calls for action for people to adopt a vegan based diet
It is not suggested members of the group were encouraged to vandalise Covid-19 check-in codes.
This is not the first time Mr Kirkpatrick's business has been hit by vegan activists, who was previously sprayed graffiti on his shopfront.
'I understand people have different views but that doesn't give them the right to force them on others,' he said.
'And they shouldn't be allowed to get away with it. Imagine if they were targeting someone over their religious beliefs?'
Tampering with Covid check-in QR codes is a serious offence.
In July, a man was charged with setting up fake QR codes at businesses in Adelaide, prompting police to warn check-in tampering offences can result in fines of up to $10,000.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Don't Watch for comment.