The Dutch Fair Association (NKB) says it has noted with surprise the proposal from animal rights organization PETA to ban images of horses and other animals from carousels.
According to the trade association, the merry-go-round horse is “the symbol of the fair” and has nothing to do with animal suffering or abuse. “The NKB disputes that children are offended by fairground horses or learn that animals are for entertainment,” the association said in a statement on Sunday.
Spaceships
PETA presented a proposal in the United States on Thursday to equip American merry-go-rounds with, for example, cars and spaceships instead of horses and other animals. “Animal-themed carousels inadvertently celebrate the exploitation of sentient beings,” the international animal rights organization said.
‘Harmful message’
The Dutch branch of PETA said it endorsed the call. “Presenting animals in this way affects our view of them and spreads the harmful message that animals are there for us to exploit,” said PETA Netherlands on X. In response to criticism of the proposal, the Dutch organization to combat animal suffering in all areas and to draw attention to it “day in, day out”. “It is not a nonsensical call,” the organization further stated about the American plan. “Children learn by what they see around them.”
‘Not to compare’
According to the NKB, the images on fairground attractions cannot be compared with reality. “They are not suggesting to anyone that this could lead to abuse.”