Mad Science: PETA Protests Crufts Dog Show
With Crufts – the world’s largest dog show – in full swing in Birmingham, PETA supporters dressed as evil scientists gathered in the city centre to remind passers-by that the dogs displayed at the event are bred by humans to have ridiculous, exaggerated physical features that can have devastating health consequences.
What’s Cruel About Breeding Pedigree Dogs?
Breeders’ obsession with arbitrary physical characteristics causes dogs to suffer from painful and crippling genetic defects. Crufts is a twisted celebration of genetically manipulated animals who have difficulty breathing or walking. Everyone who cares about dogs should steer clear of it.
What Health Problems Has This Mad Science Caused?
Breeding pedigree dogs in abnormal shapes and sizes leaves them genetically predisposed to suffering from epilepsy, heart disease, deafness, hip dysplasia, and numerous other health problems. Many bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese, and other brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs can’t breathe well – let alone go for a walk or chase a ball without gasping for air – because of their unnaturally shortened airways.
How Does Crufts Harm Homeless Dogs?
Crufts exacerbates the homeless-dog overpopulation crisis by encouraging people to dash out and buy the latest “must-have” breed that they saw on TV, while rescue centres are bursting at the seams with lovable dogs waiting for someone to take them home.
What You Can Do to Help Dogs
Even though the BBC stopped airing Crufts and the RSPCA has publicly condemned the unethical event, Channel 4 continues to broadcast this grotesque charade. Please send a message to the channel’s chief executive, Alex Mahon, urging her to take the show off our TV screens.
