PETA and the Wrestling Bear

Somehow, within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is purview over wrestling bears and other animals used in entertainment. Why? You got me. If my dog does tricks, I really don't think the federal government should care, the local government -- maybe, but not the bureaucrats in Washington.

Nonetheless, a 1,000-pound wrestling bear named Caesar the Wrestling Bear is tentatively scheduled to perform today in the Cleveland Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show, assuming that licensing concerns of the USDA are satisfied. The primary concern is that one of the two owners, Sam Mazzola, of World Animal Studios and Wildlife Adventures of Ohio had his license to exhibit exotic animals suspended because he allegedly provided false information. However, the other owner, Larry Wallach, does have a valid license so the show should go on as scheduled. Maybe.

Unfortunately, USDA spokesman Darby Holladay said, "His mere act of exhibiting is a violation." Violation of what wasn't indicated.

What is indicated, however, is that the USDA has come out against Caesar the Wrestlng Bear due to complaints received. An unidentified "administrator" in the USDA's animal and plant health inspection service stated that, "The gravity of the violations alleged in this complaint is great."

Notice it says "the gravity" of the "alleged" violations. Well, guess who alleged? Right. It was the cabal of animal-rights extremists at the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. That's correct. The PETA crowd poked some compliant federal bureaucrat with cries of wolf -- allegations, if you will -- about Caesar the Wrestling Bear and the full force of the U.S. government has entered the fray. And it's all based on allegations.

There are many things wrong with this entire scenario. In particular, Sam Mazzola and his business should not be impeded based solely on allegations which, by the way, are under investigation. Until it's proven that some regulation has been violated, the USDA should butt out.

Additionally, if investigations are to be conducted by the federal government, rather than worry about animals doing tricks, the PETA crowd should be looked at with a microscope. They are ideologues who have strongly alleged ties to the Animal Liberation Front, a known domestic terrorism group.

I don't mean to impugn the tens of thousands of people on the membership roles of PETA because the group's leadership is jiving you too. PETA is extremist. The organization is more about radical veganism than furry kittens and cute little puppies. Any federal bureaucrat thinking differently should be given alternative employment.