A radio station out of San Diego, 760AM KFMB, reports that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has filed a complaint with the US Department of Agriculture against SeaWorld after a veterinarian is said to have discovered injuries on whales and dolphins that are held in captivity at the theme park. This on top of two other complaints lodged by the human hate group this year.

One complaint filed by PETA requested the USDA investigate whether killer whales were getting sunburned while being cared for by SeaWorld. Another requested the federal bureaucracy investigate interactions between them park patrons and animals alleging a child was bitten by an dolphin at SeaWorld’s San Antonio location. The human haters of PETA had always been critical of the venue because it uses captive animals to entertain people, but ratcheted up their harassment campaign against the theme park after the release of a documentary named Blackfish that profiles a SeaWorld trainer named Dawn Brancheau who was killed in an incident at SeaWorld, Orlando.

The allegations of abuse on the part of PETA, not surprisingly, are unfounded. One veterinarian states that the lesions and scars PETA states are signs of abuse are injuries seen regularly among the animals the amusement park has in captivity. KFMB’s news article further points out:

One of [SeaWorld’s] veterinarians, Todd Schmitt, said the park is accredited every five years by two organizations that oversee theme parks and is subject to two or three unannounced inspections per year by the USDA.

“We are the true animal advocates,” Schmitt said. “When there’s a stranded animal on the beach or a whale entangled by fish line, the public doesn’t call PETA. They call SeaWorld because they know we have the resources to take care of that animal and provide the best care possible.”

With these facts in mind it is clear that PETA is harassing SeaWorld not just because the theme park holds animals in captivity but they are used to entertain people. It is another way for a group of demagogues to force their views on others. As long as PETA activists hew to the idea that since animals feel pain like humans they deserve the same rights as people, these extremists conduct activities like those against SeaWorld and attempts to halt the use of animals for medical testing are the result of their irrational world view.

If there is one in your area, or in a place you will visit this year, make it a point to spend the day at SeaWorld. Support the themepark for it’s efforts. SeaWorld is so much more deserving of your time and money since, unlike PETA, SeaWorld wants to contribute to your well being with a positive, entertaining experience.