People have blasted PETA for calling on Kansas’ largest manufacturer of amusement rides to stop manufacturing and selling animal-themed carousels.
The animal rights organization published an open letter to Chance Rides on February 6, urging them to cease production of animal designs as it ‘unintentionally’ celebrates exploitation.
In the open letter, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk argued that Chance Rides CEO Aaron Landrum could instead create figures of bulldozers, cars and spaceships that capture young people’s imaginations through “human talent.”
However, the animal rights group has received criticism online for their latest action, with people pointing out that there are bigger issues currently facing animals around the world.
“Instead of worrying about monkeys being smuggled across the border, torturous animal testing in pointless lab experiments, etc… @PETA focuses on… CAROUSELS lmao,” one person fumed.
People have blasted PETA after calling on Kansas’ largest amusement ride manufacturer to stop producing animal-themed carousels (photo: famous American attraction Columbia Carousel)
In an open letter to Chance Rides CEO Aaron Landrum, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk (pictured) said animal-themed carousels “unintentionally celebrate the exploitation” of animals
“PETA has asked Chance Rides to stop making animal-themed carousels. Come on come on. This is certainly quite a challenge,” wrote another.
The campaign group has called for the axing of animal-themed fairground rides as they believe it would be a huge blow to industries that continue to use animals for entertainment such as dolphin shows and camel riding.
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk justified her position, suggesting that this measure would teach children to have “respect and compassion” for living things, which could help create a more “compassionate world.”
Ms. Newkirk argued that animal-themed carousels present animals as “entertainment” rather than living beings with feelings and consciousness.
She wrote, “PETA urges Chance Rides and all other carousel manufacturers to pump the brakes on outdated animal-themed rides and embrace designs that capture children’s imaginations and showcase human talent.”
X was inundated with ridicule against the animal rights group, with many baffled as to why PETA was targeting children’s fun.
Another said: ‘Which activist groups are softer than PETA? Getting angry about CAROUSELS?!?!’
“PETA targets children’s imaginations and somehow equates it with real animal cruelty,” one individual argued.
One begrudged person wondered: ‘What’s next Peta? Ban cuddly toys for small children???’
“PETA has, as they say, gone off the rails. Its core mission is not to redesign carousels,” another joked.
PETA argued that animal-themed attractions reinforced the idea that animals are there for entertainment and not as individuals who experience “fear, pain, joy and love” (stock image)
Many took to
‘Peta You are actually hurting your cause when you call for wooden horses not to be used in carousels. You are downplaying the significance of your case,” one person commented.
“Some activists are doing more harm than good to their cause by coming up with ridiculous designs,” another agreed.
“PETA is going after our local carousel manufacturer… like they don’t have enough real animals to worry about, but now they’re going after fake animals,” said one local.
“Too bad @peta didn’t care much about the marine life washing up on the shores of the east coast thanks to the windmills,” one user joked.
Others criticized PETA online, stating that the group had “run out of things to do,” while some suggested deporting the organization “to the moon.”
Another responded to the letter, writing: “I’ve seen enough. Where the hell is that asteroid?’
MailOnline has contacted PETA and Chance Rides for comment.