The producer of the film that caused the BBC to not air Crufts wrote a letter rebuffing PETA for riding their coattails and 'marginalizing their efforts'. Seems like their bad reputation extends beyond our shores. I think it's laudable that the KC is attempting to revise standards that help ensure the health of dogs but I guess they aren't moving fast enough for the film's producers and the BBC. In general though, it seems like the EU is years ahead of us regarding better treatment of animals, both pets and farm stock. They've done this without all the sensationalism often associated with PETA so maybe there is a better way. While PETA may have been useful in the past in bringing about awareness, IMO their reputation as an extreme and fanatical group now only serves as a hindrance to any cause they associate themselves with. Perhaps we should look to the European model if we truly are concerned with making things better for animals. In any case, we certainly don't need PETA carrying the banner for animal rights. Through their extremism, they have become poison to a worthy cause. |