In their latest effort to criticize seemingly mundane activities, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has taken aim at amusement rides featuring animal themes, labeling them as “celebratory” of animal exploitation.
Earlier this week, PETA publicly sent a letter to Chances Rides, the leading amusement ride manufacturer in the United States, urging the company to cease producing carousels that feature animal figures like horses. According to PETA, these types of rides inadvertently promote the exploitation of animals.
“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,” stated PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “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.”
The organization further argues that utilizing animal-themed seats on amusement rides perpetuates the notion that animals exist solely for human entertainment, disregarding their ability to experience emotions like fear, joy, and love.
“Millions of people worldwide are calling for an end to the exploitation of animals in entertainment, including using horses, camels, and others as if they were living taxis,” the letter stated. “Would you kindly pledge to stop promoting this abuse by no longer producing carousel figures in animal forms?”
This is not the first time that PETA has publicly called on companies to stop using animal themes for products. In 2018, PETA successfully convinced Nabisco to change their century-old design on animal cracker boxes that portrayed animals in cages. Likewise in 2019, Trader Joe’s redesigned its Bamba Peanut Snacks, toilet paper, and organic peanut butter packages to remove a graphic that showed elephants performing tricks.
While you can argue whether or not PETA does good work that ensures animals are not being treated cruelly, it is hard to deny the fact that the organization repeatedly criticizes behavior that is harmless and fun. By putting its effort into fighting simple behavior like the creation of carousel horses, PETA continues to be an organization that people do not take seriously.
