From: wheeler@SUPER.ORG (Ferrell S. Wheeler)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.animals
Subject: Lies about PETA
Date: 11 Sep 92 18:03:04 GMT


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.

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.  One would
hope that these points can be argued honestly and openly and without
malice.

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?

Very truly yours,

Ingrid E. Newkirk
National Director

======================================

From PETA News, Spring 1992

Sniffing Out the Rumors

Vicious rumors have spread across the United States.  They
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!


===============================

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
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.

Take care,

Ferrell Wheeler
wheeler@super.org


Newsgroups: talk.politics.animals