by editor | Feb 24, 2016 | Activism, Calendar, Companion Animals, Cruelty to Animals, In The News, Paws Up, Update
PETA Asks Newly Appointed Special Envoy to Replace Prison Camp With Exhibit Center Promoting Justice and Respect for All Beings
On the heels of President Barack Obama’s unveiling of a plan to shut down the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, PETA sent a letter this morning to newly appointed Special Envoy for Guantanamo Closure Lee Wolosky with a proposal to turn the shuttered facility into an “empathy center.”
In its letter, PETA shares its vision for an exhibit space that will teach the values of justice, respect, understanding, and compassion for all living beings, regardless of race, religion, ability, gender, or species.
“The closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility represents an opportunity to turn a symbol of torture and injustice into a place of peace and understanding for people of all cultures and nations,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA’s Guantanamo Bay empathy exhibit would teach the powerful lesson that suffering is suffering, no matter whether the victim shares our race, our face, our religion, or our species.”
by editor | Feb 14, 2016 | Activism, Animal Rights, Companion Animals, HSUS, Living, PETA, Veganism
Following reports that thumbtacks have been found all across the Ohlone Dog Park in the past several weeks and that at least two dogs have been injured by them, PETA is sending a letter to the local police chief offering $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible—and another $1,000 toward the installation of security cameras at the park.
“All dogs desire and deserve a safe, protected space in which to run, explore, and interact with other dogs,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA hopes the police will install cameras and that anyone who can help nab the person or persons responsible for trying to harm dogs will come forward right away.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—advises families to keep their animal companions safely indoors and never leave them unattended outside. When taken to dog parks, they should be watched closely, and dogs should always be accompanied in the backyard and escorted on walks on a comfortable, secure harness and leash.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
PETA’s letter to Bill Goswick, police chief of Hercules, follows.
February 12, 2016
Bill Goswick
Police Chief
City of Hercules
Dear Mr. Goswick:
I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 3 million members and supporters, including hundreds of thousands across California, regarding the thumbtacks strewn throughout the Ohlone Dog Park and to make an offer that would benefit the residents of your community, human and canine alike: We’d like to contribute $1,000 toward the installation of CCTV cameras at the Ohlone Dog Park and a $1,000 reward to encourage someone to come forward with any information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this cruel act.
All dogs desire and deserve a safe, protected space in which to run, explore, and interact with other dogs, and this designated dog park should, of course, offer a safe way for responsible guardians to meet their animals’ needs. Cruelty to animals is always a community concern. People who abuse animals rarely do so only once and often go on to harm humans as well. According to the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, 76 percent of people who abuse animals also abuse a family member, and the American Psychiatric Association identifies cruelty to animals as one of the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorders.
Our offer would help protect all Ohlone Dog Park visitors—both people and dogs. We would love to work with you and the police department to make this happen. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing back.
Very truly yours,
Ingrid E. Newkirk
President
