ROADSIDE memorials would mark sites where animals have been killed if an animal-rights group gets its way.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has begun applying for permits to erect memorials in the US - and its Australian arm has confirmed it supports the plan.
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"There have been numerous incidences of road traffic accidents involving animal fatalities and these innocent victims deserve to be remembered," Ms Fryer said.
"A tribute would also act as a reminder to those whose work involves the transport of animals for export or slaughter that these animals used for food are so often exploited, mistreated and abused."
The permits PETA has applied for in the US relate to farm animals killed while being transported.
But Victorian Farmers Federation president Andrew Broad said the plan highlighted PETA's "extremism", while Victorian Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh dismissed it as a joke.
There are various estimates on how many animals are killed on Australian roads.
Some say 250,000 animals are killed annually on NSW roads alone.
Mr Walsh said he wanted to remind PETA that "today is not April 1".
"I am amazed that they would waste their time on such a frivolous issue," Mr Walsh said.
Mr Broad said it was a "dangerous line to go down" to consider animals the equal of humans.
He said PETA's view on that topic was not "the same viewpoint Australians would share".
"If you put us all on equal footing, you can run it to the greatest extreme that animals are getting murdered as opposed to getting slaughtered," Mr Broad said.
"This exposes (the fact) you will never be able to work with organisations like PETA to achieve good animal welfare because its ambition is to completely stop the use of animals for any activity."
Mr Broad said such plans discredited PETA.
Australian National University branding specialist Andrew Hughes said the idea did "not do (PETA's) brand any good at all".
"If they were putting up a wildlife shelter (for animals injured on roads) they might get some traction," Mr Hughes said.
But Ms Fryer said "every life lost matters to that individual - be they human or non-human animals".
