Fish Toss a GO. PETA scorned [View All]

[paulsby]

Source: KOMO TV

SEATTLE (AP) - Despite complaints from an animal-rights group, a national veterinary association says Seattle's famed fishmongers will be tossing dead fish at its Seattle convention next month.

American Veterinary Medical Association CEO Ron DeHaven said Friday his organization, based in Schaumburg, Ill., will proceed with a plan to host a team-building program offered by the famous fish-throwers of Seattle's Pike Place Fish Market.

After People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals raised concerns about the ethics of using dead fish as props at a veterinary event, DeHaven said the AVMA would explore other options for its July 11-14 annual convention.

DeHaven said in a telephone interview that his group supports the responsible use of animals for human purposes, such as food - and feels veterinarians are the best advocates for animals.

"We're talking about three fish," he said. "The tossing is simply used to facilitate bigger purposes" such as motivation and team-building, which are valuable for veterinarians.

The fish are dead and are consumed after the program. DeHaven said his organization thinks human consumption is an appropriate use of fish.

PETA spokeswoman Lindsay Rajt ("Right") responded that fish feel pain and fear when they're caught. She called the "corpse toss" morally no different than tossing dead kittens.



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