Seven protesters from the nonprofit Mercy for Animals stood on West 2nd Street in Davenport near the Figge Art Museum on Monday with an inflatable puppy wrapped in a bun with lettuce and other toppings.

They held signs that read "Why love one but eat the other," as a way to encourage people to think twice before eating meat.

National campaign coordinator Phil Letten said he became a vegetarian about seven years ago after seeing how animals were treated at slaughterhouses and factory farms. "The most powerful action we can take against animal abuse is to adopt a vegetarian diet."

Mr. Letten said if meat producers treated dogs, cats, or other domesticated animals the way they treat animals such as cows, pigs and chickens, they would be arrested.

He said he believes the only difference between pets and farm animals is the way people treat them. "All animals suffer pain and experience pleasure in the same way and are deserving of the same consideration and respect."

Mr. Letten said he thinks most people are against animal cruelty, but don't always make the connection. "They don't know how farm animals are treated. When people become aware, they move toward a vegetarian diet."

The dog in the bun is a good way to get the group's message across, because it helps people understand that if they wouldn't eat a dog, they shouldn't eat any other animal or allow it to be mistreated, Mr. Letten said.

Mercy For Animals travels all around the country, and has more than 75,000 members. For more information on the Mercy For Animals, visit mercyforanimals.org and chooseveg.com.