PETA's Pony Penning attack angers Delmarva

Delmarva residents overwhelmingly stand behind Chincoteague Island's Pony Penning tradition, despite recent opposition from Virginia-based PETA.

A Thursday letter to the editor from a PETA staff writer to Delmarva Now argued the decades-old fundraiser should be "re-evaluated" after two recent deaths among the island's ponies, but the opinion did little to change hearts and minds on the Eastern Shore.

The letter's claim that "Penning up wild ponies and auctioning off foals to the highest bidder is reckless" did more to rile Delmarva, especially considering how the two deaths occurred, which the writer failed to mention.

Saltwater Cowboys came to the rescue of a trio of ponies that had gotten trapped in the mud in late April. When they arrived on the scene, one of the ponies was already dead and another died the next day while being monitored after a visit from the vet.

The deaths were unconnected to any Pony Penning events, which occur in late July. On the Delmarva Now - Daily Times Facebook page, several readers left comments on a post linking to the letter questioning how the two related and how the deaths justified the animal rights' groups argument.

BACKGROUND:On Chincoteague, second pony dies after being stuck in mud

"These ponies are wild animals that are subjected to the elements like every other animal on the island. The pony swim has nothing to do with these ponies getting stuck in the mud. Who would you blame if this happened to a deer that lives on the island?" Facebook user Steven Levan wrote.

In his comment, Levan goes on to argue that making more of an effort to learn about the island, the ponies and the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, for which the event raises money, would have shown the writer how much the fire company does to ensure the ponies' health.

Facebook user Julianna Madden shared this sentiment, commenting, "Not only is this attempting to link two things completely unrelated, but the writing (and thought process) is at an elementary school level."

Other readers argued that reports in the last few years demonstrating how many animals have been killed in PETA's shelter proves the organization's intentions are misguided. A 2015 story published by The Washington Post shows that in 2014 PETA euthanized more than 80 percent of the animals that came through its shelter doors.

RELATED:PETA should stick to advocacy and facts: Editorial

BACKGROUND:PETA on Delmarva: Slaughter Beach to euthanized pet Chihuahua

"Maybe PETA should do something about the kill rates in their own shelter before pointing fingers elsewhere," Facebook user Heather Sparber wrote.

User Pam Polk described the group as being "hypocritical," and poster Doreen Skroski also criticized the group's actions, commenting, "I would not give PETA my stuffed animals. These people are useless and killers."

In total, the post on the Delmarva Now - Daily Times Facebook page drew 84 comments, and in the public Chincoteague Island Locals and Guests Group, a post linking to the letter garnered more than 160 comments.

Many commenters on both platforms shared the simple belief that PETA should just stay out of Delmarva's business.

"PETA needs to keep their noses out of this; stick with the puppy mills," commenter Bill Westerlund wrote.

Facebook user Sherri Bullion Enfield echoed that attitude, commenting. "PETA please go back under your rock and leave Delmarva alone you destroy everything you get near."

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