Kmart, No More Shark Deaths!
A shark used in a Kmart commercial died during the filming. Now, many want to know why the company put a sensitive and delicate wild animal through such trauma.
The American Humane Society, who is in charge of welfare in situations like these, was monitoring on the set where the white-tipped shark was placed in an above-ground swimming pool. But Kmart didn't ask the AHS to be involved until after the shark was flown over to California from New York. But because of sharks' high sensitivity to noises and vibrations, the trip alone was enough to cause the animal serious harm.
It's clear that risking an animal’s life for a TV ad is unnecessary in the first place. The fact that the shark died in the middle of filming just adds another layer of tragedy to the entire story.
Exploiting wild animals in this way is dangerous to their health, and it amounts to no less than senseless cruelty. Tell Kmart to stop using wild animals in commercials!
We, the undersigned, believe all those involved in this shark’s death used poor judgment in risking a wild animal's life for a commercial.
Even though a Kmart spokesperson says the company’s “paramount concern” is “safety” and that it took precautions to assure professional animal handlers were hired to work along with AHA’s monitoring, the company is ultimately responsible for choosing to use and transport such a delicate animal, in spite of the risks.
Now that Kmart is well aware that using wild animals is very dangerous for their health and traumatizing for them at best, it should refrain from such a risky and cruel practice in the future.
We ask that Kmart stop using wild animals in its commercials.
Thanks for your time.
