TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner characterized as ludicrous Thursday an effort by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to convince a Wichita company to stop building amusement rides featuring animal characters because the designs celebrated exploitation of animals.
The Republican congressman, who serves the 2nd District in Kansas, ridiculed the animal rights organization’s appeal to Chance Rides, one of the country’s leading amusement ride manufacturers, for an end to production of carousels with animal themes. PETA argued it was wrong to continue building carousels that normalized use of animals as conveyances and amusements.
“Extreme liberal activists have nothing better to do than attack small businesses and wage war on merry-go-rounds,” LaTurner said. “It’s absolutely ridiculous and could not be more out of touch with Kansans. PETA should be ashamed and embarrassed.”
On Tuesday, PETA sent the request by letter to Chance Rides CEO Aaron Landrum, who operates a company founded in 1961 and employing 130 skilled workers, including artists and welders, in the manufacture of trains and amusement rides. PETA said the animal-themed rides unintentionally taught children to celebrate the “exploitation of sentient beings.”
“Times change, and our understanding of animals has greatly evolved over the past few decades,” said Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA. “Animals used for rides and other forms of entertainment — including camels, horses, elephants, and dolphins — are conned and in servitude, never free to pursue their own lives and interests.”
Newkirk recommended Chance Rides and other carousel manufacturers exclusively produce rides in the shape of cars, tractors, airplanes, rockets or bulldozers or consider using more whimsical designs incorporating rainbows or shooting stars.
“Animals are to be respected, not exploited, and companies can and should evolve to keep up with the times,” the PETA president said. “You would join many businesses that have successfully updated their designs to reflect society’s changing perceptions of our relationships with others on the planet.”
