PETA is all about protecting animals... even ones made of fiberglass.
In a bold move this week, PETA has directed attention to the ethics of amusement park rides, urging the country's largest manufacturer of such attractions to cease production of animal-themed carousels.
The animal rights organization, known for its fervent advocacy, penned a letter to Aaron Landrum, the CEO and president of Chance Rides, based in Kansas.
PETA argues that using designs depicting animals on merry-go-rounds inadvertently promotes the exploitation of these creatures, which possess complex emotions and social bonds.
According to PETA, eliminating animal-themed amusement rides would strike a blow against industries that still exploit live animals for entertainment purposes, such as camel rides and dolphin shows. These animals, the group asserts, often endure mistreatment and suffer in deplorable conditions.
"Animal-themed carousels unintentionally celebrate the exploitation of sentient beings," the letter states. "Animals used for rides and other forms of entertainment—including camels, horses, elephants, and dolphins—are confined and in servitude, never free to pursue their own lives and interests.
"They’re also sometimes beaten, tormented, and even slaughtered when their bodies wear out."
Ingrid Newkirk, President of PETA, emphasized the importance of rethinking carousel designs to reflect a more compassionate stance toward animals. She advocated for alternative designs such as cars, rockets, or whimsical objects like shooting stars and rainbows.
"All animals are thinking, feeling, affectionate, playful, and social beings who form strong bonds with their offspring if permitted to keep them," Newkirk stated in the letter. "They crave freedom from oppression."
Highlighting successful past advocacy efforts, Newkirk referenced Nabisco's decision to alter the design of its Barnum's Animal Crackers boxes in 2018 and Trader Joe's redesign of products to remove depictions of animals performing tricks.
Chance Rides, headquartered in Wichita, specializes in carousels featuring predominantly "fantasy horses." Newkirk emphasized the importance of promoting empathy and respect for all living beings, particularly among children.
"Children learn through play, and teaching them to have respect and compassion for all living, feeling beings can help create a more just and merciful world," Newkirk stated in a press release. "PETA urges Chance Rides and all other carousel manufacturers to hit the brakes on old-fashioned animal-themed rides and embrace designs that engage children's imagination and showcase human talent."
So, what do you think -- Is it time to remove animals from carousels?