ERECTING murals or memorials for animals killed in road accidents would be an extraordinary waste of time and resources.
At the extremely conservative estimate of 10 million mammal, bird and reptile deaths on Australian roads annually and a cost of $10 a memorial, this would cost $100 million a year.
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Even if the suggestion relates only to farm animals killed, the idea remains laughable.
Road kills are highly undesirable, even sad.
And millions of animals are killed in road collisions in this country every year.
But erecting memorials will neither bring them back nor help reduce road kill.
And the damage done in these accidents is not limited to animals.
Motorists have died in collisions with (or trying to avoid collisions with) animals. Vehicles and machinery are also damaged in such accidents.
Many members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are no doubt well-intentioned. But they are often misguided or misinformed and the antics of the organisation are now harming their cause.
Ludicrous and absurd stunts encourage the general public to associate anyone concerned about animal welfare with a lunatic fringe - PETA has done nothing to help the cause of those concerned with animal welfare who wish to be taken seriously.
Perhaps if PETA concentrated more on getting real results, rather than shameless publicity stunts which often exploit women, its donor base would grow.
Perhaps its volunteers could erect nesting boxes for waterfowl on our wetlands instead of throwing themselves in front of loaded firearms during duck season.
Or, as Australian National University branding specialist Andrew Hughes suggests, PETA could put time and resources into helping run wildlife shelters for animals injured on our roads.
Even religions noted for their respect for animals - native American and indigenous Australian religions - recognise animals in general and herbivores in particular as their prime source of food.
Humans eat meat; they always will and they always should.
The best dietitians tell us so and this is the natural order of things.
