The American Museum of Agriculture in Lubbock, Texas purchased two mules for the purpose of having them euthanized and preserved by taxidermy so their bodies could be used in an educational exhibit at the museum.
The museum could have used fiberglass replicas of the animals, but felt it would not make the display about the McCormick reaper, realistic enough.
The museum could have waited for the old mules to die of natural causes, but they chose to quickly buy them from a mule trader and have them euthanized by a veterinarian.
Their desire for a realistic display turned into the morbid abuse of an animal's body and the exhibit should not be allowed to open if it uses the bodies of the two mules.
Dear Board of Directors American Museum of Agriculture,
We urge you to reconsider using the preserved bodies of the two old mules for your McCormick reaper exhibit. While your goal to create an authentic farm dispaly is admirable, the use of deceased animals turns the display from educational into macabre.
We believe patrons to the museum will still receive the educational benefit of the exhibit if fiberglass mules are used.
We urge you to let the two mules rest in peace and not have their bodies be exploited for years to come.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this plea.
