[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!