Fairynuff
Well-Known Member
Plans For Cruel Horse Diving Spectacle
Canceled Due To Public Protest
Diving horse, Atlantic City Steel Pier, 1959.
Credit: lreed76 via flickriver
When the Atlantic City Steel Pier redevelopment project announced on February 4, 2012 that it was bringing back the historic diving horse act as part of the $100 million renovation, people everywhere were shaking their heads in disbelief. The controversial act, which was a Steel Pier feature for many years, was closed down twice due to protests of animal abuse, the last time in 1993. The new plan called for reinstating the diving horse act by Memorial Day.
The act consisted of forcing the horses to climb up a 40 foot ladder and then dive into a 12 foot pool of water. Many people asked, and rightly so, was this not a giant step backwards to reintroduce such blatant animal cruelty?
The public outrage apparently paid off, because within ten days of the announcement of the return of the diving horses, Steel Pier president Anthony Catanoso issued a statement that the act was being called off.
Mr. Catanosos reversal came after he initially defended the diving horse act as iconic and wholesome family entertainment. But the widespread disapproval spurred by the announcement caused him to reconsider his position.
In his February 14 statement to the Washington Post, Mr. Catanoso said, We just felt that since Atlantic City is moving forward, we should move forward with it. We should create new memories for visitors instead of recreating old ones.
We applaud Mr. Catanoso and the Steel Pier Associates for taking a hard look at this indefensible animal act, and concluding that no tradition can transcend the inhumane treatment of animals. Moving forward does indeed mean leaving animal cruelty behind.
We encourage you to send a message of thanks to Mr. Catanoso letting him know that you appreciate his receptivity to this sensitive issue.
Contact: Atlantic City Steel Pier
Phone: (866) 386-6659
Email: customerservice@steelpier.com
Would be a nice idea if the HHO members sent a thankyou e mail to the above. I've sent one
Canceled Due To Public Protest
Diving horse, Atlantic City Steel Pier, 1959.
Credit: lreed76 via flickriver
When the Atlantic City Steel Pier redevelopment project announced on February 4, 2012 that it was bringing back the historic diving horse act as part of the $100 million renovation, people everywhere were shaking their heads in disbelief. The controversial act, which was a Steel Pier feature for many years, was closed down twice due to protests of animal abuse, the last time in 1993. The new plan called for reinstating the diving horse act by Memorial Day.
The act consisted of forcing the horses to climb up a 40 foot ladder and then dive into a 12 foot pool of water. Many people asked, and rightly so, was this not a giant step backwards to reintroduce such blatant animal cruelty?
The public outrage apparently paid off, because within ten days of the announcement of the return of the diving horses, Steel Pier president Anthony Catanoso issued a statement that the act was being called off.
Mr. Catanosos reversal came after he initially defended the diving horse act as iconic and wholesome family entertainment. But the widespread disapproval spurred by the announcement caused him to reconsider his position.
In his February 14 statement to the Washington Post, Mr. Catanoso said, We just felt that since Atlantic City is moving forward, we should move forward with it. We should create new memories for visitors instead of recreating old ones.
We applaud Mr. Catanoso and the Steel Pier Associates for taking a hard look at this indefensible animal act, and concluding that no tradition can transcend the inhumane treatment of animals. Moving forward does indeed mean leaving animal cruelty behind.
We encourage you to send a message of thanks to Mr. Catanoso letting him know that you appreciate his receptivity to this sensitive issue.
Contact: Atlantic City Steel Pier
Phone: (866) 386-6659
Email: customerservice@steelpier.com
Would be a nice idea if the HHO members sent a thankyou e mail to the above. I've sent one