[DiamondSmiles]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/dea...iti/ar-BBj9kJ9

John Metcalfe

May 4, 2015

Let this be a lesson to you, kids: When you die, you could be poked, set on fire, and painted with the name of a rodent themed motorcycle club.

At least that's what happened to a sperm whale found a couple weeks ago at Mori Point, south of San Francisco. What killed the 48 foot long creature is unclear. When it appeared a couple weeks ago, its body seemed emaciated. But scientists have found no signs of shark attacks, disease, or boat injuries.

What is clear is what happened after researchers left. Chunks of the whale's blubber were burned. And down the side of the beast somebody scrawled, "EAST BAY RATS MOTORCYCLE CLUB." It may be the worst or best instance of viral marketing, depending on your views of "all publicity is good publicity."

Similar to when a whale was defaced with frat letters last year in Atlantic City, locals have taken a dismal view of the Mori Point graffiti. Reports CBS:

[Savina] Hong had brought her kids to check out the circle of life on the beach, but, instead found the violated carcass.

"It's awful. I think it's bad enough what happened to the poor whale. Why did they have to go and make it worse?" Hong said.

The president of the bike club, which is based in Oakland, got in touch over email on Friday, but, didn't claim or deny responsibility. The group did issue a rather salty, tongue-in-cheek statement on Facebook, partially quoted below. Note the graffiti was not Photoshopped, as there's close-up, nasty video of the tagged carcass. (The video contains profanity.) I have to find it.

From facebook:

East Bay Rats Mc
April 27 at 7:01pm ·

"In light of current events, we thought it necessary to issue the following statement: We do not take any responsibility for the alleged whale spray painting incident, which we believe was photoshopped. However, we do take responsibility for beaching that whale, and in fact, all whales. We will discontinue this practice if we are given one million dollars so that we can bring back Lucky Lager. (It's not like it got fu*ked in the blow hole with a strap on or anything.)"

Photo 1 - In this April 15, 2015, file photo, a man looks at the body of a whale on the beach in Pacifica, Calif. The carcass of the 50 foot sperm whale washed ashore at the Pacifica beach just south of San Francisco. © AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Photo 2 - Peter Meredith@peter_mer
Um, please don't spray paint the beached whale in Pacifica. Really. (Photo: Jon Harman)

Photo 3 - Bobby Boessenecker @CoastalPaleo
Nothing says, "I'm classy," like spraying graffiti on a whale carcass. Stranded Sperm Whale, Pacifica, California
2:51 AM - 21 Apr 2015

[GregK]

but why?

[CrunchyCripple]

A rotting sack of blubber and meat was "defaced". . . . really? I'd think a little spray paint and perfume would improve the situation.

[MrCorpse]

It is dead. I really don't think it minds. How is this news?

[spudigitti]

[Pyramid_Head]

I hate to be this way, but it's dead. You can't hurt a dead animal.

[dcaccount22]

I like how the woman who took her kids to gawk at a giant dead animal is upset it was spray painted

[Covered up]

I think it's way fucked up? Especially in the PC Bay Area. Hope the poor whale stunk to high heaven for weeks.

[Feirefiz]

Sorry, but

[Mr Poo]

Better question is why is that MC calling their club the Rats..