Rabbi Joshua Lief of Temple Shalom here in Wheeling hit the nail on the head last week during a stop in the city by PETA’s “Hell on Wheels” truck in an attempt to shame small business owners.

The truck, driven by a PETA supporter, parked outside of several Wheeling restaurants. The truck boasted a speaker that played recorded sounds of real chickens crying out, as well as a “subliminal message” every 10 seconds encouraging listeners to go vegan. PETA’s aim with the truck is to make people think about the choices they’re making with the food they eat.

Lief was having lunch at TJ’s Sports Garden Restaurant on National Road when the vehicle entered the private parking area.

“I certainly agree that there should be protections for animals not to be treated cruelly,” he said. “But that doesn’t justify targeting a small, local business with a bigger concern. That seems equally unethical to me to suggest that two wrongs make a right.”

Angie Szalay, owner of the 19th Hole on National Road, agreed.

“Being a small business owner is about survival, day in and day out,” she said. “I do respect the cause, but this isn’t the way to get their message across.”

No one wants to see animals mistreated. But attacking local small business owners is a step too far in working to advance a cause. Actions such as this are what give groups such as PETA a bad name with many people.