Community Corner

Director: Fish Out Event Won't Be Canceled Because of PETA

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals want supporters to complain to the Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation about its popular Fish Out event this Friday so they cancel it.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has launched a campaign aimed at stopping the Fish Out event that starts this Friday in Lake Ridge at Tall Oaks pool.

PETA sent out a national email today urging its supporters to contact the Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation Association and ask that the event be canceled because it promotes fish abuse.

Shirley Couteau, LRPRA's recreation director, said the association has received a few emails from PETA, but she has not personally responded to any of them.

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"The event will go on," she said today. "We are sorry that they took offense, and I totally respect their opinions on this, but it is a great family event and its been going on for four years."

About 750 Rainbow trout will be dumped into Tall Oaks pool on Friday and people can pay a $5 registration fee to fish them out all weekend. Couteau said grandparents enjoy taking their grandchildren to the event and the Cub Scouts participates each year. She said about 1,000 people come each year for Fish Out.

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Couteau said the Prince William County Service Authority tests the pool water for PH levels, chlorine and ammonia to ensure the fish are safe and have enough oxygen. The chemicals also dissolve through the winter. Pumps also continuously circulate the water.

"We work harder to get it ready for fish than we do getting it ready for people," Couteau said.

PETA doesn't seem too concerned about the water quality; the organization just doesn't like the sport of fishing. PETA's letter to supporters states that fish have personalities, communicate and form bonds with each other, and this event is "cruel."

"There is overwhelming scientific evidence that fish feel pain, and fish clearly suffer when impaled by a metal hook and dragged into an environment in which they can't breathe. If cats or dogs were the victims of similar abuse, the perpetrators could be thrown into jail for cruelty to animals. With so many other fun pool activities to choose from, there's no excuse for tormenting fish for entertainment," the PETA letter states.

PETA also attached pre-written letter that supporters can send to LRPRA officials. That letter references a study from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow that shows fish pain receptors are very similar to those of mammals.

"Furthermore, children should not be taught that abusing animals is fun. Many positive, cruelty-free alternatives are available--I hope you will make the compassionate decision to permanently cancel this needlessly violent activity," the letter states.

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