New PETA ‘Freak Show’ Ad Shines the Spotlight on Crufts
With Crufts so close, we’ve released a hard-hitting, old-fashioned–style “freak show” ad which activists will hand out to visitors attending the event. The ad shines the spotlight on a fact that the Kennel Club would rather keep quiet: that many of the most popular breeds of dogs have been bred for looks instead of health, welfare and temperament.
A 2008 BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed, investigated the health and welfare issues facing pedigree dogs and caused the RSPCA to withdraw its support of Crufts and the BBC to cancel its longstanding coverage. Now, the BBC has re-opened their investigation in Pedigree Dogs Exposed: Three Years On. The program once again highlighted how the Kennel Club continues to promote breeding traits which leave dogs vulnerable to disease, pain, disability and behavioural problems. Our ad touches on three popular breeds that continue to suffer greatly:
Pugs
Pugs are so inbred that it is believed the 10,000 in Britain could be descended from just 50 dogs. They can suffer terribly from breathing problems brought about from their genetically flattened faces, and many in the veterinary profession believe it is unethical to breed them.
German Shepherds
Many German shepherds suffer from ailments because of inbreeding – from painful hip and elbow dysplasia to degenerative myelopathy, a disease that results in paralysis.
King Charles Spaniels
Virtually all King Charles spaniels will develop life-threatening heart murmurs, and more than a third suffer from syringomyelia – an agonising brain condition caused by their being bred with skulls too small for their brains.
Pedigree shows such as Crufts actively encourage the breeding of deformed and disease-prone dogs and cause members of the public to rush out to buy the latest “must have” dog – unaware of the veterinary bills and heartbreak that lay ahead. Buying a dog from a breeder or a pet shop also is a guarantee that a dog in an animal shelter will be left homeless. Always adopt – never shop.
