Documents published online this month show that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an organization known for its uncompromising animal-rights positions, killed more than 95 percent of the pets in its care in 2011.
What is PETA's position?
PETA has always been known for uncompromising, unwavering views on animal rights. We aren't afraid to make the difficult comparisons, say the unpopular thing, or point out the uncomfortable truth, if it means that animals will benefit.
But PETA is also clear that killing animals is acceptable:
No one despises the ugly reality of euthanizing animals more than the people who hold the syringe, but euthanasia is often the most compassionate and dignified way for unwanted animals to leave the world.
PETA, in the first article, says it has a good reason for killing the animals in its care:
PETA media liaison Jane Dollinger told The Daily Caller in an email that “most of the animals we take in are society’s rejects; aggressive, on death’s door, or somehow unadoptable.”
Dollinger did not dispute her organization’s sky-high euthanasia rate, but insisted PETA only kills dogs and cats because of “injury, illness, age, aggression, or because no good homes exist for them.”
Well there you go. If caring PETA staff determine an animal is too injured, sick, or old; or are too aggressive; or if a healthy, cute, well-adjusted animal can't be placed in a proper home, then the caring PETA staff can kill the animal.
But what about the animals? Don't they have a say in their future?
As PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk has said, “When it comes to pain, love, joy, loneliness, and fear, a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. Each one values his or her life and fights the knife.”
Huh. PETA doesn't think that an animal is any different than a person in wanting to live. Does PETA advocate the killing of human orphans because of "injury, illness, age, aggression, or because no good homes exist for them?" Their high profile publicity campaigns make them appear to be fierce defenders of animals and their rights. But PETA kills animals when it is convenient to do so.
Look, I don't think animals should be treated cruelly. But ultimately, we are in charge of the fate of animals and can use them. And in the end, that's what PETA does, too.
They can cut out their morally superior pose any time, now. Oh, and for God's sake, never let them run shelters for abused children or women--or staff suicide hot lines.
