Turtle Racing at California Bar Sparks Outrage from Animal Rights Groups

Brennan’s bar in Marina del Rey, California, has come under fire for increasing the frequency of its controversial turtle races, moving from twice a month to a weekly schedule.

Despite backlash from Animal rights advocates, reptile experts, and celebrities, the bar has doubled down on the practice, drawing widespread criticism for exploiting animals for entertainment.

In recent years, Brennan’s management promised to reduce the number of races, following advice from veterinarians and animal welfare organizations. However, their recent decision to increase the races has ignited outrage.

Through a campaign initiated by In Defense of Animals, over 12,000 individuals have urged Brennan’s and its parent company, Artisanal Brewers Collective, to replace the races with more humane activities.

Actor Alexandra Paul, known for her advocacy work, expressed dismay at the continued exploitation of turtles, suggesting alternative forms of entertainment like karaoke or trivia nights.

Greg Cipes, a voice actor from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, also condemned the races, calling on Brennan’s to adopt cruelty-free traditions. Turtle biologist Nicholas Geist warned that the races cause severe stress to the animals, negatively impacting their immune systems, growth, and reproductive health.

Despite the long-standing tradition of turtle racing at Brennan’s, many believe it is time to move past animal exploitation in favor of more compassionate options.

This article by Trinity Sparke  was first published by One Green Planet on 12 September 2024. Image Credit :PHONGNAPHA SUPHATHIRA/Shutterstock.

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