From: linan@argon.berkeley.edu (Mike Linan)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.animals
Subject: Re: Lies about PETA
Date: 11 Sep 1992 22:47:56 GMT
Organization: /etc/organization
NNTP-Posting-Host: argon.berkeley.edu

In article <9209111803.AA20561@super.super.org> wheeler@SUPER.ORG (Ferrell S. Wheeler) writes:

>Ingrid's letter to those spreading rumors at dog shows:

>October 18, 1991

>This week I have received a number of calls from people complaining
>about what they describe as defamatory statements made against People
>for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

>Some time ago a malicious rumor began to spread that PETA members are
>releasing dogs from show crates and benches.  Like the old story of the
>doberman found with the burglar's fingers in his mouth, this new
>folktale is being passed on by people who "just came from a show where
>it happened," or who "met someone who had seen it happen."  In fact, the
>story has been so elaborated on that the imaginary "released dogs" are
>now being struck by cars and killed all over the place.  Let me assure
>you that PETA has not, nor ever would, engage in such activity.  In
>fact, if anyone would stop and think about it for a second, letting dogs
>loose to potentially harm themselves runs counter to everything we
>believe in.

Yeah right!  Just like when PETA condones the burning down of research
facilities by ALF while animals lives are lost in the process.  Just like
when PETA tries to abolish hunting to leave the wildlife to starve because
of their blind, emotional, narrow minded views of the perfect, warm, fuzzy
world.  Yeah, their ain't no way PETA would EVER let the power get to their
heads and compromise what is best for the animals.  Right!


>PETA has many friends in the dog breeding world, particularly in breed
>rescue programs.  We also have enemies because we forthrightly state our
>belief that it is wrong to breed dogs while others die in pounds and
>shelters, and because we support mandatory spay/neuter laws.  


How is it that PETA can have friends that do what they don't want them to
do?  Is it your belief that PETA has friends amongst the hunting community?



>I am asking your help to restore commonsense and to nip this bizarre and
>damaging rumor about dog releases in the bud.  I do not wish to engage
>in legal action against dog breed associations and individuals who are
>deliberately repeating a libelous statement.  May I hear from you?


Do you have proof that these acts were purely fiction or that if they were
not, that no one affiliated with PETA were involved.  Or are we just supposed
to believe you and your biased views?  What's the matter Wheeler.  You sure
can dish the bullshit propaganda out but, you don't like being on the re-
ceiving end do you?  As far as I am concerned, I believe the stories are 
true.  Prove otherwise and I will discount the stories.



>Very truly yours,

>Ingrid E. Newkirk
>National Idiot

>======================================

>From PETA News, Spring 1992

>Sniffing Out the Rumors

>Vicious rumors have spread across the United States.  They
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
How many are spread by PETA and Mr. Wheeler?


>are believed to have originally been planted by persons opposed to a
>spay/neuter bill in Washington state and they go like this:

>Part 1: PETA members are releasing dogs from their crates at dog shows
>and chasing them onto nearby roadways, where they are hit by cars.

>Part 2: PETA members are now replacing water in show crates with deadly
>anti-freeze to poison the dogs!  As absurdly illogical, no, as _stupid_
>as these rumors are, they aren't as idiotic or potentially dangerous as:

>Part 3: People dressed in buckskin (!) and beads or T-shirts printed
>with the slogan, "ALF: An Affiliate of PETA," have been seen at shows,
>drawing attention to themselves by shouting, "We're with PETA! We've
>come to let the dogs out of their cages!  Better dead than caged!"
>and so on.

>   Please be assured that we will not allow others' hatred of our
>philosophy to be used to hurt animals.  PETA has posted a $500
>cash reward for information leading to the identification of any
>agents provocateurs responsible for any illegal release or poisoning
>of animals at any dog show.  The American Kennel Club has been a
>voice of reason throughout, calmly assuring its members and the
>press that there are no confirmed reports of any action to corroborate
>the rumors.
>   We are, of course, opposed to breeding any dog or cat while millions
>are literally dying for homes in our nation's shelters, but we'll
>continue to educate the public about that -- not take it out on the dogs
>who are bred!


So you say.  

>===============================

>On a personal note.  My wife and I have been on the dog-show circuit
>on the east coast for several years.  We have a champion Borzoi and
>a champion Pharoah Hound (both rescues). We have shown at Westminster.
>My wife also teaches dog training (all
>of our dogs have a CD title).  I have seen these rumors spread
>at dog shows and I have seen them in breed association newsletters.
>They were all lies.  We were there.  They started appearing around


Again, so you say.  I'm sure everybody was just waiting for you to 
clear this subject up for us.  


>here when Montgomery County MD introduced spay/neuter legislation
>which was opposed by MAFA (Maryland Animal Fanciers Association
>an group of breeders and dog retailers).  If you really want to
>know that these lies about PETA are lies, then simply write the
>American Kennel Club. 

>There has been some talk about "soft spoken" Ingrid Newkirk.
>I have met her and her pet (now deceased). (Actually, PETA
>headquarters is the only office building I know where the
>pets of employees are allowed at all times.)  If you ever
>get a chance to hear her speak, regardless of your position
>on animal protection issues, I urge you to go.  She is a
>wonderful speaker.  Everyone should take the opportunity to
>hear first hand the views of people who are (for good
>or ill) having a fundamental effect on our culture.


She sounds like a power hungry idiot to me.

>Ferrell Wheeler


Mike Linan









Newsgroups: talk.politics.animals