PETA protests Seattle fish-tossing

SEATTLE, July 12 (UPI) -- Animal-rights activists who oppose fish-tossing in Seattle's Pike Place Fish Market say veterinarians shouldn't condone the practice.

Members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals staged a peaceful protest at the American Veterinary Medical Association's annual conference in Seattle Saturday.

The Seattle Times reported the protesters wore fish costumes, and a sign said, "Vets: Would you toss my euthanized dog?"

PETA says it objected to conference organizers' allowing a demonstration of the fish-tossing famously performed by the fishmongers at the Pike Place market. The fishmongers hurl fish at high speeds across the counter and over the heads of tourists and customers in their store, and protesters say the tradition is cruel.

But the veterinarians association refused to change its plans.

And fishmongers threw three fish during a Saturday morning demonstration as PETA protesters lay on the sidewalk by the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, their bodies coated silvery green and wearing shiny fins, the Times said.

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