We should be ignoring Peta, not celebrating them

Peta is more interested in snappy headlines and publicity than helping animals.

Aside from tired gimmicks they trot out to grab headlines, half-naked women brandishing vegan food at passers-by being a personal favourite of mine, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has a truly sinister side that is too often overlooked. Forget comparing farms to Auschwitz, forget dressing up in KKK robes to protest dog breeding and forget comparing cows to rape victims; Peta’s actions directly harm more animals than it helps.

PETA is a “legal activist organisation” that condemns acts of violence against people. So it may come as a surprise to hear that they consider eco-terrorists and arsonists as brave as the French Resistance. Namely, the Animal Liberation Front (ALF).

The ALF has been responsible for hundreds of fire-bombings, assaults, intimidation of employees, break-ins and vandalism. In 2005 the FBI placed them on terror watch lists right alongside Al-Qaeda and Neo-Nazis; estimating they have inflicted $110 million worth of damage. Far from condemning this group Peta tacitly condones them, going so far as to donate $70,000 to the legal defence of an ALF member who pled guilty to fire-bombing three university campuses.

But enough about alleged links to domestic terror. How about their treatment of animals themselves? Peta loves to advertise how compassionate they are towards abused stray animals, rescuing them from overcrowded shelters and settling them in loving homes. What they seemingly forget to mention is that the majority of animals PETA “rescue” end up dying at their hands.

A series of FOI requests made in the US revealed that, out of 42,000 animals rescued by Peta since 1998, 36,000 were later euthanized. Over a two month period, 84% were killed within 24 hours at their Virginia shelter. Maybe it just slipped their minds.

Not content with killing strays before they are adopted, mercy-killings as they refer to them, Peta has also targeted family pets. In 2014 Peta abducted a Chihuahua named Maya as she lay on the door step of her owner’s home and, breaking laws requiring a five day grace period, put her down the very same day.

And what was their punishment for breaking a family’s heart and destroying one of the animals they claim to cherish? A $50,000 settlement and a heartfelt apology for “an unfortunate mistake by Peta and the individuals involved, with no ill will toward the Zarate family.”

Preventing animal cruelty is a good and noble goal. But don’t give your money and support to a group that wraps itself in the illusion of supporting animal rights while callously disregarding their welfare.