PETA Protests Westminster Dog Show

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Photo via the AP.
What does the Westminster dog show have in common with the KKK? According to PETA: plenty. The organization donned white robes and pointy hats as they protested the show outside of Madison Square Garden yesterday, declaring "the American Kennel Club promotes pure-breeding of dogs that is harmful to their health." Last year they explained this on their blog, and this year they took it to the masses with materials that read: "The KKK and the AKC: BFF?'' Such accusatory acronyms!

PETA spokesman Michael McGraw admits "it's an uncomfortable comparison," but he insists the AKC is trying to create a "master race" (not to mention breeding while adorable mutts overflow the shelters). You can read their entire leaflet here. Meanwhile, a spokesman for Westminster, David Frei, contends handlers "are more interested in the health of dogs than anything else. We want to produce the next generation of healthy and happy dogs." Well, that last part does sort of have a "cleansing" tone to it, no?

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PETA is doing an offensive, laughable, and irrelevant stunt to promote a ridiculous and extremist position? Oh my. You could knock me over with a feather.

Meh. Increasingly-irrelevant circle-jerkers don't really deserve press coverage, in my opinion.

They've become the Westboro Baptist Church haven't they? What's next? Picketing funerals with "Burn In Hell Carnivore" signs? It's time to pull the plug on these idiots.

these fucking people always conflate the plight (perceived or otherwise) of animals with people. killing six million rats in the subways with poison isn't the holocaust you fucks. and breeding dogs isn't a violent and hateful act.

PETA has hit a new low with this.

Find out more about PETA:
PetaKillsAnimal.com
AnimalScam.com

They have a $37million budget, yet they euthanize 90% of the animals in their care, a worse record than even the SPCA. Wonder how much the CEOs are making?

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laughable and low class. not surprised.

Sigh, more sensationalism and grandstanding by PETA that only helps to piss people off about them more than helping animals.

so much hate for peta, it's amazing.

i can only assume it's because deep down they are getting to all of you & you all feel guilty for your treatment & complacency when it comes to animal abuse.

Yeah, that's exactly it. I also voted for Obama because of "white liberal guilt".

white guilt is dead, no free passes anymore.

You got me. It is completely for my guilt and complacency about animal abuse, and not for the churlish comparison of the AKC with an organization that has killed hundreds of human beings in their history.

Seriously, do you think this campaign adds any value to the discussion of protecting animals?

the same mentality is shared by the KKK and the AFC. Instead of comparing the victims based on their species, Look at the perpetrators and see the connection. Society will not progress if we discriminate based on discretionary appearances. Millions of dogs were killed because the AFC choose to promote and breed what they deem to be best aka superior. And what is quite sad is how driven by hate some posters that they are the first to click on these stories to spew their hatred.

all this KKK and AFC talk has made me hungry for KFC

Did you know great-uncle Adolf was a fastidious vegetarian, obsessed with organic food? He didn't smoke, nor drank. His WW2 enemies chomped on cigars, cigarettes & pipes while swilling scotch, vodka & martinis. Weird.

I hope someone beat those fools. for this and trying to rename fish.

please stop your posturing, I bet you above are racist such as thefacts. the mentality of the KKK and of the AKC of superiority based on their discretionary traits is similar. I have known people who order dogs from breeders to match their furniture. Also I know you chose the username Thefacts since you don't state the facts at all. And in regards to Peta's budget, it from contributions and not your money so why are so concern about their budget. @thefacts, you have stated stupidity that caring for animals means you hate people or as you stated "your own Kind". Instead of hating Peta so much, move on and do something valuable, help some people.

Wow, PETA are a bunch of jackasses.

Yeah right, I'd take a flyer from a douchebag wearing a Klan robe. They're lucky they didn't get clocked.

i told one of the guys that tried to give me a flyer that they were "fing ridiculous" and the guy almost hit me in the face. i hate PETA.

mental health experts need to look into this group. Seriously.

And what is laughable are the same people who are the first to post how much they hate Peta and how peta doesn't help people. It is so sad how driven you are by hate. I am motivated by Love and that includes Love for animals and this planet. Really get some love and do something instead of criticizing those that try to do good. If you don't agree with their methods then that is fine. But the posturing and the hating is quite pathetic.

The guy who railed against gay marriage is motivated by love.

You heard it here first, people.

I almost forgot about felixthecat's homophobia. Thanks for the reminder!

Dude, you were all over anyone against Prop 8.

Or did you forget?

ok, I am NOT against Gay Marriage, Ok? I would have voted NO on Prop 8 if I lived in California, the issue for me was -does the govt have a right to overturn the will of the people and -why target a church for its beliefs. To make this short even though this piece is not about Prop 8, I am NOT against Gay Marriages or any other consensual marriage. It is only a license. Govt should not be in the business of "religion" but licensing.

Also I can't talk more about marriage anymore because I am already nervous since Valentine is approaching and I hope my girl doesn't think that I plan to propose. let stop with the marriage talk please.

I don't think you can argue that someone putting on a KKK outfit is "doing good" or is "all about the love." We all have a breaking point for the tolerance we extend, and it's no surprise that this breaks that for a lot of people. It was a shortsighted and racist move on PETA's part.

Where is Al Sharpton with the outrage?

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felix - do you too hate black people like your PETA brothern? Are black people less important, less relevant, than, say, the Central Park carriage horses?

Peta doesn't hate black people, in fact peta has members of many races,gender and orientation the KKK doesn't and the AKC is quite as selective.

Is it true that PETA will be out in Waffen-SS uniforms in front of the ASPCA?

@thefacts, you are the the racists person which doesn't surprise me based on your ignorance. what a pathetic hateful person.

Also TK, why are you selecting "black people", open your minds. the KKK is against any race that they don't deem white including the Jews,Asians,Hispanics, etc and not just "black people".

PETA is totally a rational, sane, relevant organization. I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that they would do something like this.

i'm goin' to KFC for lunch...

I like animals too-big props to my cats at home! However, I don't find the need to protest a dog show because it may be abusive. Many of those dogs are cleaner and eat better than the bums sleeping in and around Penn Station. Where is the moral outrage there? These are humans who need help and we have fucking morons in KKK outifts protesting this dog show? Are you fucking kidding me?

That's what I've been saying, these douches could care less about the bum that panhandles on their corner (and probably want the dude gone) but if they see a stray cat running around it's like CALL 911!

yes but for those few dogs, hundreds died in puppy mills.

So get your robe and hood on go crack some yuppie dog show producers-quit bitching and whining on a fucking message board already. While you are at it, give a bum a sandwich-a little help will go a long way

The guy who railed against gay marriage is motivated by love.

You heard it here first, people.

there is a lot of dogs from breeders in the shelter as well. ASPCA recently rescued hundreds of poodles from a breeder. I support 100% spaying and neutering. Also mutts "natural selection" tend to not have such genetic disorders such as those breed dogs.

I support 100% spaying and neutering.

Um, you want to end ALL cat and dog reproduction?

reconsidering the overpopulation of unwanted dogs and cats, I don't see that as a pending problem.

I am not against anyone getting married as long as it is not me. I am not against gay marriage. I was against all the hate lash out at the church for their beliefs.

*le sigh
I wish you weren't a liar. I want to like you Felix, I really do. It was your crazy rantings that inspired me to sign up for on Gothamist so I could comment.
Don't deny yourself the pleasure of going on another crazy tirade. Your public demands it.

I have no public. If you want to marry your partner then do so. why are you dragging me into it? I have no issue with it and I am not interested really.

Sigh. Breed-hate is so irrational. Where do you think the different kinds of dogs come from? They come from centuries of selection to encourage specific traits.

These people love dogs. They like the specific characteristics of specific breeds - so what? From what I've seen, anyway, dog hobbyists tend to produce and care for their dogs in an ethical and humane way.

If you are really worried about all those shelter dogs, why not ask WHY they are there in the first place. Who are all the numbnuts who don't fix their dogs? Who are the amateurs who let fluffy knock out a litter because they think it will be fun? Who are the dilettantes who go to a pet store for a Christmas surprise? It is NOT THESE PEOPLE.

Your argument is a little lopsided.
I'm sure there are a lot of breeders out there who genuinely care for their animals. Most of them probably do.
But there are some breeds who have been over bred, and I'm sure the people who have done so loved their animals too.
It doesn't change the fact that there are a lot of breeds out there with a lot of health problems because people "Enjoyed specific characteristics of specific breeds."

And if someone is genuinely interested in the company of a canine, then why do you feel they can be separated from the debate of sheltered dogs? Just because they want to own a specific breed? To me, that's a cop out.

Dog breeding began because people needed the help of dogs for certain tasks, not to match their furniture. The culture of dog breeding and the vanity 'pure breed' pet has spread beyond any kind of acceptable boundry.

Some valid arguments in there, but...

I think the problem of defects through breeding is hugely exaggerated. If you go to a *good* breeder, someone who pays attention to what they are doing (and intends to keep some of their dogs), you actually get a puppy that was bred from dogs that are known to be healthy and is screened by a vet. You can't say that about a pet store dog or a shelter dog.

For us, with our first dog, this was a huge selling point. Essentially, by insisting that we are somehow responsible for rescuing a dog out of a shelter, you are saying that we *must* take on somebody else's screwup. It's health and early environment are completely unknown and, in fact, more likely to be bad. Now that I have more experience with dogs, maybe I'd be up to the challenge, but it was definitely not for me the first time around.

So again, I'd say that the shelter movement needs to focus more on the direct causes of animal homelessness, rather than insisting that everybody is on cleanup duty. It is simply not my fault that there are lots of unwanted mutts in shelters.

No, you arent responsible for cleaning up the mistakes of others, but it would sure be a good thing if you helped out a bit by rescuing a shelter animal. If instead of searching on the internet for a couple of hours to find your perfect puppy, you took a little time to search through the local shelters I'm sure you'd find a pup that is perfectly healthy and just what you're looking for. Mutts make the best dogs, full of wonderful quirks that make them special and one of a kind.

Where does one get a klan robe these days?
It looks like that dude made it himself out of a bathrobe and a bedsheet. Though why there is a cape coming out of the hat is beyond me.

Written on the Klan robe clothing-tag: MADE IN PHILIPPINES

Protest PETA. Eat a lot of meat this week. Start with veal.

For Peta sake, taka the chilla pill and a nicea carriagia ridea in the Centrala Parka.

thefacts hate peta because he thinks they are the ones against his carriage industry when it is ASPCA,friends of animals, the NYC bar of association, etc.. that also want this cruel industry to end. I have to go but I am glad that I am not so pathetic that I need to be the first one to post on something that I proclaim hatred for. Chase after something you love.

No, I'm pretty sure that like most of us, he thinks PETA are bunch of crazyassed douchebags.

@edge, stop your posturing. I bet you are just as racists as thefact. You are the one who posted "things that white men like": asian girls. First of all, this is not about Peta but you own hatred for animals which is why a protest against Peta is eating veal. a protest would be sending them a letter, or a petition or even a demo but not torturing baby cows. you have proven again and again that the majority of people who hate Peta are those that exploit animals. of course, you hate people, Peta is the enemy, they want to stop you from abusing animals.

White people DO like Asian girls.

That's a fact.

And me? Hating animals? Sure, tell that to my dog and three cats and all the money I've spent @ the vet getting them all vaccinated and shit.

Yeah, I totally hate animals.

You and RatherBe should get your own sitcom, you guys can pair up like in Psych or something. Exept with a lot more lube.

@edge, and i found that to be QUITE offensive, what a joke that your criticize Peta when all you saw was a white man and an asian woman and you had to make such a comment. what I saw was a couple of young adults who have their futures stolen by a drunk driver. you are the offensive one.

No, I don't mind.

White dudes almost always tend to pick up the ugly ones, so it works in my favor.

they are making a good point. if you look deep into the issue, inbreeding is killing animals. and that is what breeds are. mutts are more healthy and live longer. genes need to be mixed. golden retrievers are all dying of cancer.

I adore animals and have three of them (one purebred and two non). I also am a dues-paying member of the ASPCA. However, PETA makes my skin crawl. Why don't those people get jobs???? Or lives????

And what makes you think they don't have jobs or lives? just because yours may be different from them? jeez.

By the way, if there are any PETA members reading this -- the Westminster Dog Show has decided to relocate to the Apollo Theater in Harlem. So you should probably take those white robes, hop on the A train, and head up there now.

I'm sure no one will have a problem with comparing slavery and lynching with the "evils" of breeding and pampering spoiled dogs. To the contrary, I'm sure everyone will understand the gravity of the message -- that breeding and raising animals is as bad as dragging black men behind trucks, castrating them, and hanging them from trees. How could they not?

So, yeah, take the A train to 125th (MLK Blvd), then turn east out of the station. The dog show should be on your left.

Seriously, I'm surprised that a big brother hasn't yet stepped up to one of these scrawny, boho PETA types wearing a klan outfit, snatched the hood right off his head and proceeded to ram it up his vegan keister. I thought we new yorkers were tougher than that.

The dog show did not relocate to the Apollo theater in Harlem since most of those who attend this show will not go to Harlem. Also it is the mentality of exploitation and superiority that Peta is highlighting. Lastly why do you only target "blacks", kkk was against asian, jews, hispanics, anyone who they did not deem white. KKK even was against white that they did not deem had enough "white" characteristics. Damn, I have to go back to work but I wish people who start the hate already.

(says the guy in the white robe)

As pointed out, the KKK does hate everyone who isn't white enough for their standards. Or if you ask the KKK's publicist, it's not about hating OTHER races, they just REALLY, REALLY love themselves and their own race. Come on, man, stop the KKK-hate, why don't you get the Klan's side of the story???

However, in most cases, showing up in a hooded white robe is a good way to immediately demonstrate to people listening that you are on the wrong side of an argument.

I love animals, especially with ketchup.

I love animals and loathe PETA. It's not an animal welfare organization. It's a self-perpetuating fund-raising machine interested solely in lining its own pockets, with a sideline in making true moral atrocities laughably dismissible.

I agree. Other organizations spend their time actually advocating for animals, rescuing and helping homeless pets, drafting and lobbying for actual legislation on animal rights issues, conducting and publishing factual studies on relevant problems, etc.

PETA on the other hand spends its time and money harassing people, waging offensive and utterly ridiculous campaigns (sea kittens anyone?) and engaging in useless protests like this. They're not interested in supporting animals. They're interested in being attention whores. When you donate to PETA it's not going to help an animal; it's going to pay for one of these losers' Klan robes and the Sea Kittens website. PETA's a waste of space and is an embarrassment to real animal rights groups.

Like most folks, I love animals, loathe PETA and their schtick, but I have to say, post #3 (ironically from "thefacts") is not all that close.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4314

$30M budget (not $37M) in the FYE 07/2007

FWIW, annual salary of the President is $34K

3 other salaries listed (Direct, VP & Primate Specialist) are between $68-70K.

"thefacts" not having facts? Par for the course. This is the same man who demands that the Department of Transportation ticket more drivers. Even though DOT has no power to issue any tickets at all.

So what's Caroline Kennedy up to these days?

LOL, No one appreciated her except Uncle Teddy and this douchebag. The dumb fuck still can't learn how to 'reply'.

Typical. If you can't win an argument, call people names. You and "The Edge" should be very happy together, as mutual fans of each other who both love the word "douche." Does that mean you're barely on "the edge" of "thefacts"?

Probably doing a lot better than you. I definitely respect someone who overuses the words "you know" much more than someone that can't stop using the word "douche."

While I deplore PETA, they do have a point about breeding just for looks. In fact, the Kennel Club in the UK just issued new breeding standards last month to help eliminate many such characteristics. Anything that may look "good" on certain breeds like supershort noses or legs or lots of flappy skin but which can affect the health of the animal will no longer be acceptable. For instance, the English bulldog won't be as pug-faced as it has been. The Shar Pei won't be a wrinkled skin bag anymore. American associations should follow suit. It's the humane thing to do.

I hate MovableType. I specifically unchecked the "reply to..." box to give a more general reply and it still linked my reply to a previous post.

jo,

$37 million, $30 million! Over this you quibble? Don't be petty. I was close, it came from memory, it's a blog not a final exam, and I didn't have to go to a charity navigator website to find out. It's close enough. Either way it is a lot of moolah; and what is shown for it except the purchase of KKK robes?

You do not address the fact that they kill 90% of the animals in their care, while the ASPCA only has a 30% rate.
Address that fact please

You say the Director and VP and "primate specialist" get $68,000 to $70,000. Do you earn that much? Most folks don't. Especially those working in non-profits do not earn anywhere near that. Sounds like someone is making out well.

Wow, PETA taking a protest and going completely overboard.
Simply Shocking!

In any case, PETA both succeeded and failed at the same time.

People are talking about the Protest but NOT about the issue.

If they wanted people to look at them and think PETA recruits for the KKK, Yep! Mission Accomplished!

If they wanted people to talk about the "Issue", Massive Fail.

Nice going PETA!

They should try pulling this same little stunt in Bed- Stuy. I'd like to see what happens to them there.

You know this isn't really the Klan, right?

You know this isn't Die Hard 3 right?

They're so stupid it blows my mind.

Are they trying to say that they are threatened by increasing numbers of Beagles moving in next door and trying to go to school with their kids or something?

While it's true that dogs are bred to unhealthy standards for the pleasure of humans (bulldogs cannot breed without insemination or give birth without c-section) and tails and ears are clipped to meet some sort of human standard we have arbitrarily set, the fact that PETA has KKK outfits on just makes their message seem foolish and makes them look like buffoons.

A different tactic is needed.

I'm late to this conversation, but just a little note on the numbers cited by thefacts regarding the ASPCA. I'm a big advocate of the ASPCA and would like to point out that the ASPCA is a NO KILL shelter---their euthanasia rate is NOT 30%!!! They euthanize only for severe medical and behavioral issues and have the staff and facilities to save the animals that would be considered borderline or unadoptable elsewhere. 30% is the approximate overall NYC rate--in others words, New York AC&C, which is separate from the ASPCA.

And yes, PETA's track record when it comes to euthanasia and dumping of shelter animals is a travesty. They essentially advocate abolition of pets altogether so I guess in that sense it shouldn't be such a surprise that they have a history of being totally callous with the animals in their care.

Thanks for the clarification. These stats were for one ASPCA that I could find, the Virginia Beach ASPCA, which is close to PETA's Norfolk headquarters. It was a form of parochial comparison.

It is gratifying that (I assume you mean the NYC) ASPCA has this no-kill policy. In the 90s they did, but I guess that it has done away with. There is a group from L.I. at Union Square that also volunteers its Saturday trying to find homes for strays. You never see PETA doing this type of good work.

Another recent stat I discovered claims PETA has killed 22,896 in the past 9-1/2 years in which records were available.

Two "facts" you're missing.

First, there is no Virginia Beach ASPCA. The ASPCA and the SPCA are two completely different organizations and the only thing they have in common are their goals. Essentially, when you're talking ASPCA, you're talking the NYC organization.

Second, a no-kill policy is not a cure-all. No-kill shelters, like all shelters, don't have unlimited capacity. Once such a shelter fills up, they will not accept any more animals. So just because they don't kill them doesn't mean the animal doesn't die. It's just shifting the problem elsewhere. I know that for a fact because one no-kill shelter I was familiar with had to close down because they couldn't afford to keep feeding, treating and housing all the aging cats that people didn't want to adopt yet their policy wouldn't let them euthanize. As usual, the problems aren't as simply solved as you think.

PETA is nothing but another nutjob cult.

Before Baby Hitler's father goes out and gets a puppy for him for presidents' day, the cake thing didn't work too well for his birthday so he's trying a different approach to make the kid smile, are there any suggestions as to the proper breed? Nothing too expensive, the family is on a tight budget with lawyer fees and all piling up.

Stop the madness! Spay and neuter all PETA members! As for the "master race" in dogs, it's the German shepherd, of course!

Peta rules, look at how many comments on them. time for me to do my dance.

Hey, felix, we get the point.
Now try getting the point.
You're not changing anyone's mind on this board.
People love messing with ya because you're so easy and predictable. I've had to resist the urge for quite some time because I prefer intelligent interplay, and not troll-countertroll playground stuff. Please just set up your own website and, in lieu of haranguing the world, just post a link to your manifesto of the world according to Felix. The time you spend farting around with everyone on Gothamist could be better spent actively pursuing your goals in the sprit of freedom of expression. We do respect that, because anyone with half a mind respects freedom to express oneself, even if they disagree. BUT, you are exceedingly strident and boring, and need to find a better avenue for your beliefs.
Please accept this missive in the congenial manner in which it is offered. From my viewpoint, your absolutist vehemence on so many threads has detracted from my being able to thougtfully reflect upon these many issues, as this stridence hijacks the thread, and overpowers other voices, accomplishing nothing.
Please consider.

Dadoc

you call me vehemence, I am not the one calling people douchebags etc. Also no one is messing with me. I am quite happy and I don't fart really. I am not the one with idiotic remarks such as spaying people. I am not the one who names myself thefacts yet he doesn't post facts. A lot of the comments were juvenile and the were not posted for my sake but out of ignorance and/or lack of compassion. Also I like to dance and I will dance again.

you call me vehemence, I am not the one calling people douchebags etc. Also no one is messing with me. I am quite happy and I don't fart really. I am not the one with idiotic remarks such as spaying people. I am not the one who names myself thefacts yet he doesn't post facts. A lot of the comments were juvenile and THEY were not posted for my sake but out of ignorance and/or lack of compassion. Also I like to dance and I will dance again.

http://gothamist.com/2009/02/05/foie_gras_activists_descend_on_east.php
the same nasty people who posted all the hatred for Peta also advocate this cruel meal of foie_grass. It is not Peta that you hate or as dado stated me. But you support animal cruelty plain and simple. People like you are miserable people. I seen it with my own eyes, You even look miserable. So I will continue to post because I know you can't change a person who has no heart but he will learn soon when Karma hits him. As of Dadoc, if you find me boring then ignore me as I do you.

Still not gettin' it, are ya, dude.

Peta definitely wanted some publicity stunt, it's not like they are being cruel to the animals! anyway, I wish I went to the show this year..I just found madison square garden's blog post with other photos of the
winners plus a backstage video of the dog's getting

Photos:
Westminster Photos


Video:
Westminster Video

peta is an amazing organization! learn about them before you comment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv6Be-fdBs4&feature=channel_page
video of reporter self absorbed and Today Now! welcomes adventurer and balloonist Trent Montague, who is determined to steer the conversation to the horrors of horse abuse.

felix you are not alone here. they are all fucking crazy...

and felix you are quite funny and you persevere.

So, now spoiling the S**T out of a dog is abuse??????

Thanks, the sad part is that the lack of knowledge and empathy is the cause of many society's ills that we are All suffering. peace for all

Yeah, you were so "knowlegeable and empathetic" in all of your gay marriage comments.

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