AceShowbiz - Late British actress Susannah York has been praised for her activism by bosses at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) following her death on Saturday, January 15. The Oscar-nominee, who passed away following a long battle with cancer, was a lifelong campaigner against animal cruelty, and in 1998 hit the streets of London to protest outside the Taiwanese Embassy over allegations of the country's mistreatment of dogs in pounds.

PETA chiefs have now spoken of their sorrow after hearing of the actress' death, insisting animals around the world have lost a "true friend". A spokesperson for the group says, "Susannah devoted time to numerous good causes over the years. She was active in supporting efforts to stop cruelty to dogs in Taiwan."

"In 1998, Susannah joined... PETA staff, including PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk, in delivering a dossier to the Taiwanese Embassy in London highlighting the horrific maltreatment of dogs who were unfortunate enough to end up in pounds in that country. The embassy denied entry to the animal protection advocates, so they stood outside in the cold, showing PETA's photographs of the dog drowning tanks where strays and lost dogs were submerged to die."

"Susannah spoke to the delegation from the heart. It took a lot of work, and hard lobbying, but she was part of the success of passing Taiwan's first animal protection law. With (the) passing of Susannah York the animals have lost a true friend."