Does everybody hate PETA? -Opin. (L.A. Times)‏
NOTE: To read all 88 comments (as of Mon 11:05 am PST) visit
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/comments_blog/2009/01/everybody-hates.html#comments.---------------------------
Los Angeles Times
OPINION
Does everybody hate PETA?
3:30 PM, January 9, 2009
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/comments_blog/2009/01/everybody-hates.htmlIf the comments over the last two days are any indication, PETA has no
fans among L.A. Times readers. Three recent posts addressed People for
the Ethical Treatment of Animal's latest move: urging the USA network
to drop their plans to air the Westminster dog show. Recently, the
group was able to persuade the BBC to refrain from airing the Crufts
Dog Show. Readers ranging from general pet lovers to professional dog
breeders set the comments section aflame with their burning hatred for
all things PETA:
JJ Flash says: PETA, like many organizations which started with the
best of intentions, has been hijacked by the usual bunch of left-wing
wackos whose only agenda is NOT animal welfare, but solely to give
their sad little lives some appearance of meaning.
Ashley says: PETA's headquarters in Norfolk, Va kills more than 3
times the average of ALL the shelters in the entire state of Virginia.
They are the ONLY known animal rights/shelter/welfare group to own a
cooler to store the bodies in because they can't dispose of them
properly right after they are destroyed. PETA is a complete
embarrassment to all those who love animals and are concerned about
animal welfare
kim says: PETA is a group of extremists who believe that to own any
animal is enslavement. They believe all animals should run free and
that there should be no pet animals at all. Responsible purebred dog
breeders spend huge amounts of money doing health tests and screening
on their dogs. They spay/neuter any animal that either has problems or
has tested positive for traits which lead to problems. The vast
majority of health issues seen in purebred dogs come from what are
known as "commercial breeders", "back yard breeders", and "puppy
millers".
lovemydogalways says: Anyone that thinks PETA is a friend to animals,
they are sadly mistaken. PETA's mission statement is end pets forever
- they consider them something that needs to be erased because they
are not wild and fending for themselves... Get rid of PETA, don't
support them, don't send them money - the HSUS is no better. What did
either group do with all the money they received after Hurricane
Katrina? They didn't save a single animal so where did all that money
that their commercials collected go? People that send them money are
paying them to take away your right to own pets -- duh...
Only a handful supported PETA's latest campaign:
"Peta has very high ethics and whatever they do its always the best
for the animals. And its better to euthanize dogs instead of keeping
them in small cages until the end of their lifes being depressed."
And then PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk herself (allegedley) had this to say:
"It is extraordinary, isn't it, to have a piece with no comment from
the very people it attacks? if anyone would like to know what PETA
believes and does, go to peta.org; to learn about the appalling
conditions under which dogs particularly are kept in rural USA, where
PETA provides free medical care, free sterilizationa dn free
euthanasia (these are not adoptable dogs, all those are referred to
animal shelters except the few we get and place), go to
helpinganimals.com or peta.org. PETA has not been taken over by
anyone. I started it and I'm still here, a 60 yr old envelope-pusher
who would like animals to be seen as the feeling, emotional and
interesting beings they are, not as hamburger, handbags and cheap
toys. Sometimes we have to be sexy or silly to get people's attention
these days, but the message is a serious one: no living being deserves
to be treated with anything but compassion even if that means changing
some of our old cruel habits. At PETA, we believe there is something
everyone can do, which is why our website offers free veg recipes,
alternatives to dissection, information on our successfully funding of
non-animal tests that are more sophisticated and quicker than the old
animal ones, lists of cosmetics and household products not tested on
animals; fashionable fur, leather and wool alternatives; even health
charities that are animal-and people-friendly and those that aren't.
And yes, we feel it is unethical to buy and breed dogs while the
rescue homes are full and many are put down or spend their lives in
kennels. Only the greedy and uncaring would think that a bad idea!"
What do you think? Is PETA out to get your pet? Or is PETA a
misunderstood animal welfare group with unusual publicity techniques?
 Jessica Roy