Wichita ? On the heels of the slaying of abortion doctor George Tiller, an animal rights group has abandoned plans to run billboards in Wichita that urge people on both sides of the abortion debate to go vegetarian.

“We are disappointed that our artwork has been rejected by the Wichita-area billboard companies,” said Lindsay Rajt, campaign manager for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The proposed billboards were prompted by the death Tiller last week. One says, “Pro-Life? Go Vegetarian;” the other, “Pro-Choice? Choose Vegetarian.”

PETA officials learned this week that the third of three Wichita-area billboard companies, Topeka-based Lamar Advertising Co., had decided not to run the billboards.

Two other companies, Clear Channel Outdoor and George Lay Signs Inc., also declined to run the billboards.

Scott Strecker, sales manager for Lamar Advertising, said the company initially told PETA it would run the billboards but changed its mind over the weekend “after reading more about it.”