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Since 1975, a bar called Brennan's in Los Angeles has been holding turtle races to entertain its patrons. For nearly five decades, this bar has been exploiting animals for entertainment and profit. Turtles belong in peaceful, natural environments, not forced to amuse humans for cheap thrills. Urge Brennan's to replace the turtle races with an alternate activity that does not involve the use of animals.

This popular and crowded venue subjects the turtles to the shouts and screams of dozens of rowdy customers and an emcee on a microphone, which reptile experts have called inhumane (see expert statements below). Boisterous, drinking patrons bet on a winner, which evokes stress and fear in these sensitive animals. Brennan's website states that turtle racing is the “real sport of kings” but animal exploitation is nothing to boast about. The company also refers to the turtle races as a tradition; however certain “traditions” need to evolve. Besides harming innocent animals, Brennan's is perpetuating the cruel and wrong idea that animals may be used for human entertainment. We have invited the owners of Brennan's to have a dialogue to brainstorm options that would end the bar's troublesome use of animals for entertainment. We are also happy to secure a sanctuary or other excellent homes for the turtles.

In mid-September, we sent a letter expressing our concerns about the races to Sean Phagan, Brennan's operating partner/turtle wrangler and chief of operations at Artisanal Brewers Collective (ABC), which owns the bar. We quickly received a reply from Phagan stating that Brennan's loves its turtles and the Los Angeles legacy it has become caretakers for. He stated that when ABC purchased Brennan's in 2016, he worked to figure out how best to provide for the turtles, some of whom have lived at Brennan's for decades. Per advice he and his team received, they built a new habitat with room for the turtles to swim in as close to a natural environment as they could create and they reduced the number of races to give the turtles more time to rest after each “adventure.” Phagan also stated that they have two veterinary technicians on staff and that, while the races themselves are exciting and can be loud, they take lots of care to separate the public from the turtles, and all the handlers are carefully trained. These factors, however, overlook the stress and fear the turtles suffer during the events and only serve as self-serving justifications for continuing the turtle races, which is unacceptable. The only truly ethical solution is to end the races completely.

In our response, we let Brennan's know that regardless of its efforts to create a new habitat for the turtles, and the fact that only veterinary technicians handle the animals, the races themselves are still inhumane. We also said that we were confused by the statement that Brennan's has "greatly reduced the number of races.” According to this article, published in 2017 when ABC purchased the bar, the races were scheduled for once a month only. Yet, currently, they occur twice monthly, on the first and third Thursdays of every month. We then emphasized our invitation for a meeting to brainstorm alternative activities, as Brennan's success does not hinge on live animal entertainment. In fact, we believe there is a strong chance of highly positive publicity for Brennan's for stopping the races. We expressed that we hope to work with them to retire the present turtles and to help ensure Brennan's remains a great destination for fun. Yet, we still received no response.

We then sent a brief follow-up email two weeks later, and after no response, we sent this final message two weeks after that, in which we expressed that we still hold the same concerns regarding the use of turtles for racing. We let them know that the exploitation of animals for entertainment is something that many businesses have moved away from and that there are plenty of fun and alluring alternatives that do not involve live animals. We told them that if we didn't hear from them, we would proceed with a plan of action to raise awareness about the issue and hopefully prompt change.

California leads the way in regard to animal welfare, and we hope that Brennan's will consider modernizing its activities to reflect the times. It would give this popular bar the opportunity to demonstrate compassion for animals and be a leader for positive change. Currently, Brennan's is teaching people by example that it's acceptable to treat animals like toys and entertainment devices. We, along with people across the globe, would support their compassionate effort to change, which would in turn draw attention to the establishment in a beneficial way.

Commentary from turtle experts:

1. Nick Geist, a professor of biology and turtle biologist at Sonoma State University, condemned the atmosphere he observed in recent videos of turtle races at Brennan's:

I am struck by the enormous amount of stress the turtles subjected to this treatment are obviously undergoing. The Brennan's bar atmosphere, with turtles surrounded by loud, boisterous people, bright lights, and announcers screaming through a microphone is inhumane and far out of line in how animals should be treated. The turtles would interpret being surrounded by agitated (often drunk) humans as lethal threats, evoking a flood of stress hormones (e.g., adrenaline, cortisol). This sort of stress response has well-documented deleterious effects on the immune system, growth, and reproductive function, among other negative effects on the animals' biology. Notably, many species of turtles across the globe are under severe threat of extinction and it is incumbent on humans to do what we can to try to reverse this alarming trend. I strongly support efforts to end this distasteful activity.

2. Kim Titterington, wildlife rehabilitator and lead researcher on the Rescue Rehabilitation Research Conservation Of Reptiles Amphibians (RRRCORA) project states:

Turtle races can increase stress levels leading to harmful effects. Reptiles are often seen as non-feeling creatures that can tolerate almost anything. Although they can handle extreme circumstances, it comes at a cost. High levels of stress affect the immune system. Stress leads to a decrease in appetite and the ability to absorb nutrients during digestion. Because of their slow metabolism, turtles don't show symptoms until the issue is advanced, which very well may be irreversible by the time it's noticeable. Avoiding unnecessary stress will help prevent these problems along with proper husbandry and care throughout the life of the animal.

We also consulted a reptile specialist veterinarian, Dr. Walter Merker, of Orange Grove Animal Hospital in Arizona, who has extensive experience treating turtles. He strongly concurred that subjecting turtles to racing is stressful and damaging to their systems.

Take action now to help us end turtle races at Brennan's!

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: End Inhumane Turtle Races and Be a Leader for Positive Change

As a supporter of the international animal protection organization In Defense of Animals, I urge you to please end the turtle races at Brennan’s. As confirmed by turtle experts, this activity is inhumane, subjecting these sensitive animals to a rowdy, loud scene that evokes stress and fear, leading to harmful effects on the turtles’ bodies that may not be noticed and treated until it’s too late. For nearly five decades, your business has used turtles for entertainment and profit. I implore you to replace it with an alternative that does not involve the use of exploited animals.

Your website states that it’s the real sport of kings; however, animal exploitation is nothing to boast about. You refer to the turtle races as a tradition; yet there are “traditions” in need of change, especially if they are harmful to innocent animals. Turtles belong in peaceful, natural environments, not forced to entertain humans. They do not deserve to be used as racing tools. Brennan’s is teaching people by example that it’s acceptable to treat animals like unfeeling toys and entertainment devices.

There are fun and alluring alternatives that do not involve live animals. California leads the way in regard to animal welfare, and I hope you will consider modernizing your activities to reflect the times. It would give your company the opportunity to demonstrate compassion for animals and be a leader in positive change. Brennan’s success does not hinge on live animal entertainment. In fact, I believe there is a strong chance of highly positive publicity for Brennan’s for stopping the races. 

In Defense of Animals is willing to work with you to retire the present turtles and help ensure Brennan’s remains a great destination for fun. The organization is also happy to secure a sanctuary or other excellent homes for the turtles. I, along with people across the globe, would support your compassionate efforts, which would in turn draw attention to your establishment in a beneficial way.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

Victory! This alert made a difference for animals!