Does everybody hate PETA?

If 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?

Correction: Astute readers have pointed out that the BBC's decision to drop Crufts was not based on "persuasion" from PETA, but instead was prompted by the BBC's airing of a documentary called "Pedigree Dogs Exposed."

-- Jessica Roy

Photo: Members of PETA dress as cave people as they protest in front of a fashion store in Sydney, Australia. PETA claims Giorgio Armani uses cruel methods to obtain rabbit fur for the lines fashions. Credit: Rick Rycroft /Associated Press

Comments

[CoCo]

I don't hate PETA. I have mixed feelings. I love the undercover work they did with Hormel. I was extremely angry at them when they exploited the death of the man murdered on a bus, by wanting to put out ads comparing his murder to eating meat. That was a cruel act against his family, they could not bear the pain. I loved it when PETA wrote to Hamas, asking them to be kind to animals. I hate that they degrade women into sex objects to sell vegetarianism. Yet, I'm grateful for any one that wants to help animals, including PETA. Confused?:)

[R. Grimes]

I live with a dog rescued by PETA after hurricane Katrina, one of dozens of abandoned dogs they rescued from New Orleans. PETA runs a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. Just 2 examples of their compassion in action. This organization does more to help animals than any other, anywhere, on a community level, up to internationally. How do I know? Check out peta.org to learn for yourself.

[Myshkin]

PETA is asking the world to change. To stop skinning animals alive for fur, to stop beating them to death in slaughterhouses, to stop killing them by the millions in shelters. Naturally, this makes people defensive, frightened and angry. Most people would rather shoot the messengar hean hear the message, because they are afraid of change. I used to hate PETA for that reason. I was a chef, cooking and eating lots of flesh. But then I saw the videos. I saw how animals are still alive in slaughterhouses as their legs are cut off, and worse. I went veg. I lost 20 pounds. I don't contribute to violence anymore and I'm not so afraid of change anymore--I can handle new ideas. PETA is brilliant and brave. People used to hate the leaders of all social movments, the same leaders we build statues for now. PETA will be the same. There will be statues of Ingrid Newkirk. Bummer for the gutless wonders now, who are cowards and need to beat defenseless animals to feel big and tough. Does everyone hate PETA? They have over 2 million supporters. Guess not.

[Jamie]

What? This is crazy. Most of everyone I know like what Peta does to help animals, but not all of what they believe in. Anyone who says something bad about an organization who's sole purpose is to help..well, you have to question where they're coming from, or what their motives are. I mean, who would argue against the fact that shelter dogs need love? Or that breeding dogs when millions are homeless is a bad idea? How about people who make their money selling or exploiting said animals?

You can hate peta for some of the things they suggest (like vegetarianism), but you can't argue that they don't help animals. They give thousands of dollars away annually to charities, dog houses and vet bills to people/animals in need. How do I know this? They put out an annual report so people can see where they spend their money. I went to peta.org a few weeks ago to see how full of crap PETA is, but ended up loving them. They're not afraid to say what needs to be said, in order to help those in need. All i needed to see was the alerts section though. Anyone who stands up for animals that people stab or set on fire (!!) behind closes doors deserves my respect, even if I don't always agree with them....

[Michael Seebeck]

PETA is insane. Why? Just look at their actions.

Ask Spearfish, SD, where they sent a letter to the Spearfish School district asking them to change their school name to "Sea Kitten". They were laughed at at ludicrous.

Ask Whitefish MT, where they did the same thing and got the same result.

Ask the owners of the KFCs that get regularly protested by PETA idiots who conveniently ignore the burger joint next door or across the street.

Ask the 87%-plus of the animals that get killed in their Virigina facility, if you can do an animal seance.

Ask Lassie, whom they tried to force a neuter on before the state Senate found sense (and replacement fax machines) and killed that stupid idea.

Ask former Congressman Scott McInnis, who exposed their funding ties to the domestic terrorist group Animal Liberation Front.

I could go on..and on, and on, and on...

Hey Ingrid, why don't you focus on the Ethical Treatment of HUMAN Animals instead? You know, fighting to stop child abuse, rape, murder, and so on? What form of bestiality obsession do you have that makes you do crazy over animal genitalia?

Yes, PETA is isane. HSUS us no better.

[Laura Frisk, a proud PETA supporter]

Everyone wants PETA to step in and help them out with their animal-related problems. But when PETA does something those same people don't agree with, or the press gets the facts wrong, they all point their fingers. PETA has done more for animals than any other animal rights group in the world, and I wish people would look at all the good they have done for the animals instead of focusing on distorted and incomplete facts.

PETA has only the animal's best interest at heart. I have been a PETA member for many, many years. Over those years I have found myself living more compassionately, less selfishly, and in general I have evolved into a kinder person. I have been able to, by my example, convince many friends and family members that animals are not ours to exploit. I have seen changes in many venues that used to abuse animals, because of PETA's tenacity, activism, and drive to do only what is best for the animals.

I have Ingrid Newkirk and her organization to thank for that. Because of PETA, many animals will sleep better tonight. And those that aren't, are waiting for PETA to come and help them. I wholeheartedly support PETA, for they are helping those who have no voice to help themselves, the animals.

By the way, I not only read the LA Times, I subscribe to it.

[Belinda]

PETA is an appalling fraud of an organization. Like all animal rights groups, they are grimly determined to eradicate every single cat and dog from the face of the planet to "free them from cruel enslavement". To that end, their Virginia headquarters qualified for designation as a slaughterhouse because they killed 97% of the animals that were placed within their "care" last year. Not satisfied with simply killing pets, PETA is determined to make it virtually illegal to own pets by promoting draconian anti- pet ownership/ breeding laws at local, state, and federal levels which include but are not limited to breed specific legislation and mandatory spay and neuter laws. Lastly, they take every opportunity they can to promote vegan living to children while being cognizant of the fact that a vegan diet inhibits human development while damaging the organ systems of children. So remember to NEVER support ANY law promoted by PETA or their affiliated organization Humane Society of the United States. To do so is to further their animal rights agenda of no pets- period! NEVER DONATE TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS!!

[michael alvarez-toye]

what i find particularly twlling about the anti-PETA comments, is that they tend to come from people within animal usage industries, or from people who have a vested interest in the usage of non-humans perpetuated, be they 'pet' *owners*, consumers of flesh and animal products and by-products, etc.
PETA is not a welfarist organisation, but rather an advocacy one, dedicated to education and the protection of the lives of the non-human animal species.
as such they oppose the indiscriminate slaughter of individuals for the human diet-of which we are not designed to consume on any regualarity, for adornment, the frivolous torment of individuals through incarceration-zoos and circuses, forced activities, rodeos, races, etc, the captive and overbreeding of, ie purebreds, fur 'farms, etc....
we do not have the right to *possess* another individual, irrespective of species, to torture, exploit, abuse, enslave or murder them either, and this is the gist of what PETA involves itself in furthering, through education, lobbying and direct involvement.
think about that next time you set out to beat 'your' dog, or buy a puppymilled individual, or when the medication you take causes serious side-effects....

[Jayn Line]

Hate PETA???
Not hardly!
If it weren't for this dymanic, inspirational group, I'd still (unknowingly as to all the suffering that I was subsidizing) be wearing fur, torturing animals in psych labs and yes, eating them.
It is most assurdly difficult for all of us to give up wearing and eating what we've been doing for so many years without thinking. but PETA has opened the nation's -- actually the entire world's -- eyes as to how our lifestyle choices can either save animals or subsidize their suffering.
Go PETANS !

[Robert Marley]

Lots of people justifiably hate PETA. Those who want to slaughter animals because their fur is so beautiful. Those who want to sink their teeth into the bodies of animals. Those who want to pour chemicals down thir throats and into their eyes to produce yet another color of lipstck.

But, no one in their right mind who claims to have an iota of compassion can suggest that they hate the group who has opened up everyone's eyes to just how that little bunny became a collar on their coat.

[SLO]

I defy anyone to go to PETA's website and watch Meet Your Meat or any of the many, many videos of animal cruelty and think that our treatment of animals is just fine. And don't confuse the core message and mission of PETA with its tactics to spread the message. PETA always pushes the limits because, sadly, otherwise nobody pays the least attention. You know, you can always identify the leader of any pack by the bites on his or her rear. PETA is indispensable, and they have my highest respect for doing a very, very difficult job with energy and creativity.

[Kim Sturla]

I think PeTA has been THE most influential animal advocacy organization in the country. Under the leadership of Ingrid Newkirk, they have defined animal rights. They are the trail blazers. They are the group who is always first to challenge the status quo. They have my 100% support and respect.

[Jean from Georgia]

Apple pie, America and PeTA!!!!!! That's all that needs to be said. It's great people like those at PeTA who give of their personal time, energy and LIFE totally to make a difference in the lives of others-----others who will never know how much peeps from PeTA have done to help. I am proud to have once shaken hands with Ingrid Newkirk --- a great American.

[Beth]

I believe PETA always has the animals best interests at heart. They simply want to see a world free of animal exploitation. They touch a nerve, however, becuase they challenge some of the things we have done our entire lives, like eat meat, wear leather, and even buying dogs at the pet store. I’m glad there is someone out there making sure the animals have a voice. Every time I hear about an animal in trouble, PETA is there.

[Alfredo Kuba]

I love PeTA and all it stands for, protecting animals from human exploitation. Only speciecist, exploiters of animals take chip shots at PeTA. Only selfish people who care only about themselves and grant themselves rights they deny to other species and nature criticize PeTA. Only egotistic self centered gluttons who care not about the suffering of other feeling beings and who treat other feeling beings as lesser and with contempt hate does who do. If the Los Angeles Times readers hate PeTA, perhaps it is the paper's inability to promote compassion. The paper's sole purpose is to sale advertising and make readers mindless consumers, keeping people knombed and uninformed about the world and animals so that readers make irrational decisions and irrational egotistical choices.

[Carmen Cusack]

We love PETA because they are real people who speak their truths. They are not some group of hypnotized sirens with a mass agenda, but instead, they are a beautiful group of ambitious, over-worked volunteers who mean no harm to anyone who respect the miracle of life. If you hate PETA, you are either self-centered, extremely fat, or Republican. Any way you shake it, PETA represents the wildest self inside all of all of humanity; and we need to be proud that they do bring the extreme message. OTHERWISE we would all be infatuated with our mediocrity.

[Anne Jones]

Wow...what a flaming against PeTA! No organization is perfect, but PeTA does more than most animal advocacy groups to help raise awareness of the suffering of animals. The word "extremist" is thrown around more and more these days to try to paint everyone involved in animal advocacy with the same tainted brush - any time it is used, a red flag should come up.

[Elaine]

Peta is a remarkable organization that does more for the animals than any other in the world! They work relentlessly to end animal suffering everywhere on the planet. They have helped me with numerous animal cruelty issues and always came through with flying colors. If someone doesn’t respect and admire them, it’s only because they are totally misinformed. Peta should be held in the highest esteem for making the world a far better place for animals.

Elaine

[Red]

Once they admitted giving money to an FBI-certified terrorist organization, ELF, they should have had their tax-exemptions pulled.

PETA is a hate group, plain and simple. Unfortunately, the media has chosen to laud this hate group with praise and protection, instead of challenging their harassment of people, their admission of giving money to ELF, their support of arsonists/firebombers/criminals, like Rodney Coronado, etc.

www.fass.org/fasstrack/news_item.asp?news_id=154

Have a look at PETA's dirty little secrets:

www.petakillsanimals.com

[Amber]

I support peta.
I used to live in norfolk, where peta is headquartered. Not only is it bordering north carolina, which has no shelter system (peta spends thousands of dollars there annually now), but norfolk is covered with Navy bases. this means a highly transient population- people moving in, moving out all the time. the animal abandonement rate is phenomenal. for people who blame the non-profit groups for the problem instead of those perpetuating it, shame on them.

As long as animals are property, they will be treated like property- sold to the highest bidder with little regard to the new 'owners' intentions and character.

[Michael Markarian]

HSUS was recognized nationwide for its enormous deployment in response to the crisis created by Katrina. Since Sept. 1, 2005, The HSUS has committed or spent more than $34 million on general disaster relief and recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast states, the enhancement of its disaster response capacities, and the transformation of public policy concerning animals in disaster. The most recent accounting is available to the public on our web site:

http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/disasters_press_room/beyond_katrina_three_years_later_0802808.html

The HSUS and state authorities in Louisiana and Mississippi work very closely on disaster planning and response and we continue to fund a range of projects to help shelters, vet schools, and other institutions in the Gulf Coast. The HSUS is the lead disaster response agency for animals in the nation.

[Kelley]

You either hate Peta or you love them. Here's why: they put those tough animal issues right there in your face. If you happen to be guilty of causing animals to suffer and die needlessly (i.e. if you eat them, wear them, watch them "perform" after being beaten into subservience, or use products that have been viciously tested on them), then you are going to be anti-Peta. Clearly people do not like to be confronted with their wrong-doing, their selfishness, or their indifference. If you do not partake of animal products or "services" and you do not blindly support the "animals are here for our use" status quo mindset, Peta will be your best buddy. No animal rights org is more effective at getting the message out there than this one. Do they make people think about animal issues? You bet. And guess what...that's the point. Make every action a thoughtful one and good things follow....for all who share this planet. The greater good...that's what Peta is all about.

[Lianne]

I find that many of the people who hate PETA are ignorant to what the organization really stands for. They want someone on whom to place blame, and it comes out as anger for a group they won't even take the time to research before lashing out at. PETA does not throw blood on fur wearers, they do not euthanize every animal they see, and they do not deserve the bad press they've received.

Don't believe everything you hear. PETA does more for animals than most people could imagine, and it's a hypocritical waste of time and resources to argue them while you could be making a difference.

[David]

PETA is nothing less than WONDERFUL! Anyone who attacks PETA simply hasn't look deep enough into what they do. The organization spays and neuters hundreds of animals a WEEK in their area alone. No, euthanasia isn't a fun subject to talk about, but not talking about this overpopulation crisis won't make it go away. Home's just don't appear when we need them!

Anyone who criticizes tactics need only look at the "victories" section of PETA.org. The company (no matter how you feel about them), makes things happen! Some changes are quicker than others but they do happen. Could you imagine if those "radical abolitionists" of slave times never spoke out against slavery? It was a social norm then and it is appalling now. Such will be the way we think of non-human animals in the future.

Anyone who say's otherwise is simply feeling the guilt (or overweight belt strain) of having just one to many big macs.

[Endangered Owner]

PETA is the lunatic fringe of the Animal Rights groups, whose sole purpose of existence is to "liberate" all animals from human use or 'enslavement'.
PETA could care less about responsible breeders, in fact, according to their own website, "there is no such thing as a responsible breeder".
I, and the millions of pet owners and breeders in this country who love purebred dogs, are awake to the Animal Rights agenda being pushed by PETA and their 'cousin', the HSUS: which is NO more breeding, NO more hunting, NO more eating meat...
Yeah, it may have taken us two decades to wake up, but now that we are, WE are going to take our animals, our laws and our country back.