PETA protests fish throwing at veterinary conference with silent display

The fish-tossing and veterinarian-vilifying PETA saga culminated Saturday outside Seattle's Washington State Convention & Trade Center with a shimmery but still protest.

At noon, seven people lay together on the sidewalk at Seventh Avenue and Pike Street downtown, their upper bodies coated silvery green, their legs covered in gray leggings and adorned with shiny fins. People held signs that said "Gutted Alive" and "Vets: Would You Toss My Euthanized Dog?"

The animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals was protesting the inclusion of fish tossing by Pike Place Fish Market fishmongers at the American Veterinary Medical Association's annual conference.

PETA has been arguing for weeks that veterinarians charged with animal care should not allow fish tossing at their conference. Fish are sensitive and intelligent, and their bodies should not be thrown around, said PETA campaign coordinator Ashley Byrne.

The AVMA declined to change its plans, and fishmongers threw three fish during a Saturday morning demonstration.

Saturday's hourlong protest drew onlookers and convention attendees who snapped pictures. But a sign saying "AVMA supports pain" bothered Pennsylvania veterinarians Elizabeth Dymond and Jillian Bidigner.

Vets do so much for people and animals, Dymond said. Bidigner said she almost wanted to rip up the sign.

"PETA likes to draw negative attention toward the group," Bidigner said. "They set themselves up for complete embarrassment, like laying naked in the streets of Seattle."

Dr. Ron DeHaven, CEO of the veterinary association, said at a brief news conference that the fish-tossing demonstration was consistent with the group's animal-welfare policy.

As for the protest, it wasn't disruptive. "It might be memorable as long as they express their opinion peacefully," he said.

Nicole Tsong: 206-464-2150 or ntsong@seattletimes.com