Animal rights protesters should look at human issues

Re: The last protest? Activists gather at Marineland amidst talk park is for sale, Sept. 7

Phil Demers was an employee of Marineland collecting a paycheck for a time, until he had a fallout with owner John Holer. For the past 10 years, Demers has been hoping Marineland will eventually close. He maintains there was animal abuse and poor maintenance at the park.

Holer came from Yugoslavia (that’s what it was called back then). He had humble beginnings in Canada with mediocre jobs, but he had a dream; it turned out to be Marineland.

Marilu DiSanto, a protester at the park, admonished visitors by saying, “I can’t believe people still come here. Nothing else better to do today?” Obviously, DiSanto has nothing better to do as she and other protesters hassled visitors at the park.

Protesters have concerns about animals at Marineland, but don’t feel the same way towards cows, pigs, lambs, goats and whatever else walks on four legs.

When cows are brought to the abattoir (slaughterhouse), they are stunned by bolt gun to the brain. In most cases, the animal is unconscious, but whoa to the ones that aren’t; they die piece by piece. Hind legs are shackled as the animal is lifted off the floor. Large blood vessels in the neck are cut for bleeding; eventually, the neck is severed for quicker bleeding.

Many pigs not properly stunned, are put alive into scalding-hot water baths, which softens their skin and removes hair.

Chickens are put in electrified water; this is meant to make them unconscious (you hope) before their throats are slit. The bodies are thrown into boiling water so they are de-feathered.

Yes, some animals go through “needless suffering” at slaughterhouses; where are the protesters for these animals?

To all the protesters enjoying their steaks, hamburgers, roasts, pork chops, veal, hotdogs, chicken and turkeys, lamb, goat and fish; remember, what these animals have to go through to satisfy your tummies. It may not be perfect, but animals at Marineland have it a bit better than what is going on at slaughterhouses.

I’m not a bible thumper, but it does say in Genesis 1:26 of man, “Let him have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air and over the beasts of the earth.” Sorry protesters, you had better complain to a higher power.

Protesters should direct their gripe towards another animal called the “human.” Throughout history and even today, humans have committed genocide, racism, bigotry and intolerance towards others because of races (skin colours), religions and different nationalities. Your protesting energies could serve a much better purpose than at some animal park.

Lou Cesar

St. Catharines