They did not die for the "sole purpose". They were repurposed from the pet meat (or similar) industry.

of killing them for an exhibit. That was their only reason for buying them. The article indicated that based upon the price paid, there was a good chance that the mules were still in decent shape not old and decrepit. Either that or they overpaid for the mules in order to speed up the process for they were stopped.

Edited to add, since they wanted an authentic exhibit one wonders where they will come up with the stuffed slave and/or farmer to be shown operating the mules.

It was a knackers auction.

As egregious cruelties to animals go, this is a long long way down the list.

The American Museum of Agriculture and their Board members did put out the word to the Horse trader that they were looking for a matched pair of mules, so they could finish their exhibit! They created a market for them! Somebody put alot of time and effort into training the mules to a harness, and the horse trader had to pay for them!! The horse trader was also the owner and the one who said thee mules were old and unsound... not correct! The museum got wind of the growing descent and possible court injunction and speed up the mules euthanization and processing. I would like to hear from the liscened vet in Muleshoe Texas, where the mules where, or Brady Texas where the taxidermist was, to see if they were really euthanized, by a vet! I bet the horse trader in Muleshoe killed them himself, probably on a board member facility! This museum is just a bunch of well off aging old farmers who need to show off their junk, and get a tax write off! Boycott and email plz I live in Lubbock!

Two mules, preserved by taxidermy, will be used for an exhibit in the American Museum of Agriculture with a piece of 19th century farming equipment that mechanized harvesting.

According to a news release from the museum, the mules were purchased for an exhibit showing a McCormick reaper, the earliest piece of mechanized farm equipment.

The release states the exhibit was planned after consultation with Museum Arts of Dallas.

The news release states, “With the assistance of Museum Arts, we have installed a very realistic exhibit showing the reaper and its operation. To complete this exhibit, Museum Arts strongly recommended that we obtain professionally preserved mules in full harness to allow our visitors to understand how essential animal power was to this stage of American agriculture.”

snip>

A Facebook page dedicated to “Save The Lubbock Mules!” was created on Monday in opposition of the idea.

The group reached 351 members within five hours. The Facebook group has generated national attention.

http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2012-09-17/stuffed-mules-be-used-museum-exhibit#.UFheEcP7Y0M

Perhaps the two mules were going to be "euthanized" anyway.... but they don't need to make their lack of concern worse, by shoving it in our face.

I do hope they were softly euthanized. At least they were spared the terror of the slaughterhouse.