The animal rights group PETA has sent a letter to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company calling for an end to the annual pony swim.
The letter comes on the heels of the death of Butterfly Kisses a pony that died in a freak accident after the swim last month.
Officials say that the pony was killed when it was chased by another in the pen after the swim and hit a fence breaking its neck.
The Salisbury Daily Times reports that PETA described the death as needless and proof that to pen ponies and auction them off is reckless and cruel.
Some of the ponies are sold to raise money for the Volunteer Fire Department and for veterinarian needs of the ponies.
Denise Bowden with the Fire Department said that the accident occurred while the ponies were inside the pen not while they were being herded in.
The paper reports that she added it was a freak accident which could have occurred in the wild adding there was nothing anyone could have done to prevent it.
The fire department said the pony was given immediate medical attention but could not be saved.
