PETA stikes again!

[Harley_chik]

Those of you who support PETA and yet still enjoy purebred dogs may want to take the time to read this. This letter is from PETA and they are using their "2 million members and supporters" to stop the Westminster Dog Show. If you don't support this action your should consider letting PETA and the USA network know.

Take time to read the following letter of BS PETA has sent to USA network in an attempt to persuade them to not televise Westminster.




PETA to USA Network: don't air Westminster! | L.A. Unleashed | Los Angeles Times
After the BBC will no longer air Crufts.....
"Now PETA is asking the USA Network, which airs the Westminster show every February, to follow suit. In a letter to USA's president Bonnie Hammer, PETA founder and president Ingrid Newkirk writes, "Since dog breeders routinely use incestuous inbreeding and genetic manipulation...it's not surprising that as many as one in four purebred dogs is plagued with a serious genetic problem."
http://blog.peta.org/archives/usa_letter.pdf
December 26, 2008
Bonnie Hammer, President
USA Network
2 pages via fax
Dear Ms. Hammer:
We hope this letter finds you well. On behalf of People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals and our more than 2 million members and
supporters, I am writing in the hope that you will meet with us briefly
regarding an urgent matter: the USA Network’s February airing of the
controversial Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
As you may know, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) has just
announced that it will no longer televise Britain’s Crufts dog show,
based on the British Kennel Club’s refusal to exclude from the dog
show’s main competitions at least 12 breeds—including the basset
hound, the mastiff, the Rottweiler, and the German shepherd—
classified as “at risk” (by the Kennel Club itself) for dangerous, often
painful physical conditions attributed to overbreeding, as well as the
intentional breeding of these dogs purely for looks versus temperament
and good health.
The British Kennel Club has now pledged to review and revise breeding
standards for more than 200 breeds in the U.K. and has already informed
Pekingese breeders that it is no longer acceptable to breed dogs with flat faces,
as this intentionally bred-in trait causes many dogs to suffer breathing distress
and difficulties that can even be fatal. The British Kennel Club’s American
counterpart, the American Kennel Club (AKC), has done nothing to help
reduce the physical problems that plague “purebreds,” despite the American
Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) public release of its new policy
against cropping the ears and docking the tails of dogs for cosmetic purposes.
The AVMA specifically encourages altering breed standards to eliminate these
two now-common practices, citing the pain, blood loss, and infection that these
surgical mutilations commonly cause dogs to endure.
Since dog breeders routinely use incestuous inbreeding and genetic
manipulation to achieve a certain “desired” trait like a slanted back or a
concertina face, it’s not surprising that as many as one in four purebred dogs is
plagued with a serious genetic problem.
Beagles like Uno, last year’s winner of the AKC’s “Best in Show”
category, have a significantly higher risk of hypothyroidism,
demodectic mange (a condition that occurs when a dog’s immune
system cannot combat the proliferation of mites living in the dog’s hair
follicles), epilepsy, and hip dysplasia. Poodles, like contestants Vikki
and Remmy, who were just edged out by Uno in the competition, are
prone to cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, allergies, and ear
infections; Labrador retrievers—America’s most popular dog—are
prone to bone disease, hemophilia, and retinal degeneration;
Dalmatians are often deaf; and Great Danes are bred to be so large that
their hearts give out early. The list goes on and on, and all the
problems stem from deliberate genetic manipulation.
You can join the BBC in sending the message that manipulating dogs
in order to create a look that negatively affects their health,
temperament, and quality of life is unacceptable. I would be glad to
meet with you. We hope to inform our members that you will decide
not to televise Westminster’s annual dog show. Thank you for your
time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Daphna Nachminovitch, Vice President
Cruelty Investigations Department




I feel it's imperative that ALL purebred dog owners, breeders and exhibitors send letters of SUPPORT to USA Network and Westminster! Tell them how you enjoy the show...that it is a celebration of the purebred dog and dedicated breeders. Just be supportive!
The contact information can be found at this link:
Frequently Asked Questions - Contact Us - USA Network
You can send an email from that page.
Don't let the Peta bullys win!

[BamaFan121s]

I see thread titles like this and just roll my eyes sometimes saying to myself, "Oh Lord, what have those loonies done now?" Nice to know after reading your post that I was not disappointed. They still seem just as looney as ever.

[yorkiekist]

As usual the fanatical peta is at it again. Lumping all breeders, breeds and health problems together. It must be the BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD responsible breeder that only creates health problems and not the mills and bybrs. These nut cases need a one way ticket to the moon!

[MindieRose]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

I see thread titles like this and just roll my eyes sometimes saying to myself, "Oh Lord, what have those loonies done now?" Nice to know after reading your post that I was not disappointed. They still seem just as looney as ever.

[ChantalB]

I think PETA does lots of good action... but this time WHAT A JOKE!!!

I would be so disappointed not to be able to watch the show!!!

And what about all those breeders that have been working so hard for years to improved the breed ! they don't deserved to get spit in there face by Peta like this!

[msjagg]

Who let the Loonies Out!! Sending a letter to stop the LOONIES!!!

[Nancy1999]

I sure hope they don't pull anything at the actual show, one of YorkieTalk's member's, Brooklyn, has a dog, Radar who is invited this year. ( I am so excited to see the show this year, GO RADAR!) I believe in the past, there were smaller shows where PETA members would let dogs out of kennels and create a very dangerous situation. I hope the network takes this letter as a warning to beef up security.

[BubblPopElectrc]

Here we go again.

PETA threads should be ranked with religious and political threads. They all go the same way.

[duckie215]

Wow. I am not a PETA fan, but I feel as though they are going after the wrong issue. The breeders that show at Westminster work very hard to avoid health issues in their dogs and inbreeding lines. I feel as though the letter should be going to someone else about all the people keeping dogs in cages without proper care and breeding them like rabbits to make a quick buck. Sigh. Silly PETA people sometimes

[romeos mommy]

Originally Posted by duckie215

Wow. I am not a PETA fan, but I feel as though they are going after the wrong issue. The breeders that show at Westminster work very hard to avoid health issues in their dogs and inbreeding lines. I feel as though the letter should be going to someone else about all the people keeping dogs in cages without proper care and breeding them like rabbits to make a quick buck. Sigh. Silly PETA people sometimes

i agree ...the wrong issue.

[ltret0294]

Harley Chik,
You beat me to the punch on this. I am on another Yahoo group Yorkieland and they posted the same article and link to the LA Times. PETA also was at the Central Florida Yorkshire Terrier Club show last summer '08. I ask myself "Why does PETA go after the responsible breeder and not the Puppymills/Backyard Breeders and stores that keep them in business".

There's a poll on the LA Times article last results as of around 6:15 PM
no 14%/346, yes 92%/4056 and don't know <1%/14. Thanks for the link to USA Network

[Yorkiekids]

There they go again. Acting stupid.

[C C Kent]

This is not about animals and hasn't been for a long time. Just like so many causes that began with good intentions PETA has become a means for fundraising, nothing more. Often the target seems undeserving of the attack...but only until you take into consideration that this appeal is to the fringe donor. Someone who needs red meat to pry the checkbook open. If it didn't work....they wouldn't do it. When you see it for what it is...a shakedown...it makes perfect sense.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by BubblPopElectrc

Here we go again.

PETA threads should be ranked with religious and political threads. They all go the same way.

Not really since now anyone who doesn't think peta is satan stays out of them for the most part. The political threads represented both sides and got emotional. PETA threads are basically the same people posting the same thing and patting each other on the back for making such great points (even if they aren't new). See? No risk of controversy or arguing. It's basically the perfect thread topic.

[jencar98]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

Not really since now anyone who doesn't think peta is satan stays out of them for the most part. The political threads represented both sides and got emotional. PETA threads are basically the same people posting the same thing and patting each other on the back for making such great points (even if they aren't new). See? No risk of controversy or arguing. It's basically the perfect thread topic.

LOL....you know, I've heard if your record yourself saying "PETA", then play it backwards it sounds like SATAN!