Butcher hits back at flower-clutching vegan 'muppets' who staged silent protest outside his shop by trolling them with 'bulls***' sign (5 Pics)

A BUTCHER has hilariously trolled vegan "muppets" who staged a silent protest outside his shop.

He joined them in their bizarre protest with a mocking "bulls***" sign.

The silent duo stood outside the Devon store clutching flowers with a sign propped up against their legs which read 'in memory of the animals who didn't want to die'.

The women stayed silent for the duration of their protest and only spoke when baffled shoppers approached them.

The two demonstrators didn't reveal their identities only admitting to be part of a "global movement".

They claim to have picked the shop at random and that they were moving from place to place – leaving after two hours.

The dad noted that one of them appeared to be wearing a sheepskin coat and leather shoes - but it isn't clear if it was imitation sheepskin and leather.

After spotting the brightly dressed pair outside his business Billy Chibouni, who runs Arthur's Butchery and Delicatessan in Topsham, Devon with his wife Alx, quickly sketched his own sign on the back of an envelope including drawings of a bull and a dollop of poo.

Billy, who owns the shop with his wife, drew a picture to illustrate his feelings

Mum-of-one Meia Allegranza took a photo of the protest, and Billy's counter protest.

Professional photographer Meia said: "I went to get some top beef for sandwiches, I love high street shops like Arthur's.

"This couple of muppets were stood in their sheepskin coats and leather shoes holding flowers.

"I was enraged that someone picked such an inappropriate place to do their protest.

"They don't want any discomfort to themselves they probably do it in Topsham so they can get a latte and do their salutations afterwards – and of course it would look better on their Instagram.

"I just thought how dare you, go away. I love that we are a democracy but take it somewhere else like an abattoir."

Billy and wife Alx run the butchers shop in Devon

The Chibounis say they are very careful about where they get their meat and products from

Business co-owner Billy, 31, said he wanted to respond to the protestors in a peaceful way so quickly sketched his views on an envelope and stood silently alongside them.

Dad-of-one Billy said: "We were a little bit frustrated when they arrived. I chatted to them and then decided to speak my mind.

"Rather than write it down I decided that maybe pictures would be better.

"I've felt like Justin Bieber since it happened – everyone's been coming in and speaking about it."

The shop opened in 1983 and was run by Alx's mum

Billy's wife Alx Chibouni took over the family business when her mum Sheila Piranian, who ran the shop for 33 years, died of dementia four months ago.

Alx, 32, said: "I felt victimised when they arrived, there are lots of shops nearby. I just thought 'why us?'

"We are just a local business trying to support local farmers. We are very careful about where we get our meat and products from.

"We don't want to buy from places that are exploitative and horrible to animals – that's very important to us."