That's about all we're going to be able to do. Look what they stopped now

Activists scramble to halt turtle races



Published in the Asbury Park Press 8/13/03
By MICHAEL RILEY
STAFF WRITER
So, a turtle walks into a bar...

Well, not in Belmar anyway. Earlier this summer, Patrick's Pub in Belmar held turtle races every Saturday.

Until People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) got wind of the plan and raced into action with a speed that would leave most turtles in the dust.

The organization wrote to the Monmouth County Health Department. According to PETA, turtle races are inherently exploitative and extremely stressful for the turtle.

The anxiety levels of aquatic reptiles would seem to be beyond the purview of a local health department.

"We worry about the health and safety issues of the residents of Monmouth County," says Michael Meddis, Assistant Public Health Coordinator for the Monmouth County Health Department.

Turtles do present a real health and safety issue, according to PETA Animals in Entertainment specialist Amy Rhodes.

"Turtles, like most reptiles," she says, "are known carriers of salmonella, a bacteria which can cause serious, and even fatal illness in human beings. The county health code prohibits having animals in a food-service establishment."

The turtle-racing situation was brought to PETA's attention, according to Rhodes, by alert members of the organization in the Belmar area.

There is no more turtle racing at Patrick's Pub.

A man identifying himself as the general manager had no comment.

This chit is REALLY getting WAY WAY WAY out of hand!

Good God!!

UNF*CKING BELIEVEABLE.... I think the pub should now have PETA tossing contests..............

They would have a field day here in FL.... I have been over to the Tampa area and there are people all over the place selling turtles out of the back of vans.

Wow, hard to believe!

Stressful, for a turtle? How about getting chased down a beach by hungry gulls when they're born? Do we shoot all the gulls? Jeezz...

More unfounded bullchit!...Just Something else meaningless to bitsh about while getting publicity.

replace the turtle races with lobster races.

ythey are food they will be killed anyway. The winner lives and get released back to the sea. In effect saving the life of one of the lobsters. Lets see them ***** about that

Excellent thought PUDER and only one spieling mistake two!