Turtle Races and Other Live Animal Events Shut Down at Milwaukee Bar

April 2003

PETA received a call from a Milwaukee activist who was desperately trying to get live turtle races canceled at a local bar. We immediately contacted the Milwaukee Health Department to provide documentation of the risk of salmonella contamination associated with reptiles, especially in a food-service establishment, and we asked the agency to investigate. We also alerted the Health Department to the fact that live goats had been kept in the bar one weekend for a “farmer’s daughter” contest.

Health Department officials investigated and mandated that the live turtles be removed immediately and that the bar “discontinue turtle races and any other activity or promotion which brings live animals into the bar.”