The silence is deafening. While there are many news reports of PETA’s alleged theft and immediate killing of an innocent and beloved small dog in Accomack County, while the family and many of their friends and supporters ask in vain for justice from our court system, while rallies are being held for the family and their deceased pet, while there are blog posts and other opinion pieces being written nationally about this shocking and horrifying occurrence, PETA remains silent. Totally silent. PETA, which is very vocal about most everything relating to animals, which is very fond of the use of hidden cameras on others, which likes to criticize those of us committed to the ethics of the no-kill philosophy, is silent on this matter. Silent about an occurrence in which their workers were caught on video taking a small dog right off the front porch of the dog’s own home after efforts to lure her off of her front porch had been unavailing. Silent about the stories of their return shortly after their killing of the beloved pet to tell the family about what they had done and give the family a fruit basket. As if that would be compensation for the loss of the pet they loved.
No explanation is being offered. Nor is PETA anywhere disputing the allegations of facts. Why is PETA, which is not silent about much regarding animals, staying silent on this one? Their silence may be due to the advice of their attorneys. Without question, their silence may be the wisest approach in terms of their criminal culpability and civil liability issues. But, it is insulting to their supporters. And, it certainly suggests that there is no good explanation that their supporters would find palatable. All of the many people who have given their charitable dollars to PETA because they love animals and want to see them protected have a right to hear from PETA to explain why on earth it would do something like this or, alternatively, that it did not do this. If PETA believes that all companion animals should be killed, they should have the guts to say so. If its philosophy is that no one who is Hispanic and of modest means should be allowed to have a pet, they should have the courage to say so. If their people think that every pet is better off dead than in a home where there are limited financial resources, they should say so. If they actually did not do this, they should say that too. Because I and everyone else are searching for some understanding of why an organization that proclaims itself to be for the ethical treatment of animals would do this. And, we are wondering how often they have done similar things.
I heard Jeff Kerr, PETA’s General Counsel, speak recently and he indicated that all of the animals that PETA “euthanizes” at its “shelter” in Norfolk (the quotations marks are there because these would not be the words that I would use) are in dreadful medical condition and not able to have a life of quality. This could not explain the killing of Maya. According to her family, she was in good health and had a good life with a lot of love. What about that picture would PETA not like? Maya was utterly helpless, and her killing is heart breaking.
I have never given PETA a donation so I do not suggest that they owe me anything. But, they do owe their donors an explanation because the organization’s continued silence is an insult to the generous people who have supported them. It is a statement that they believe they can take a donor’s money that the donor intended to go to save animals and then, when they are charged with heinous mistreatment of animals, give no explanation or justification for the actions with which they are charged. If you are or have been a donor of PETA, I urge you not to give them another penny until you get an explanation from PETA for the killing of Maya, and so many other innocents, that satisfies you.
Robin Robertson Starr is the chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires both your first and last name to be used as your screen name.
Absolutely profound! Let's get this out there and try to get as many people as we can to read this! I am sharing now. Fantastic, Robin!
Posted by: Karen Gammon | November 25, 2014 at 10:43 AM
Thank you, Robin, for speaking out! I live in northeastern NC where PETA has quite a history of doing exactly these kinds of things. I find this story and Maya's picture to be absolutely haunting, and terrifying. It looks to me like the CA is afraid to go up against PETA and their millions. I attended the PETA trial in Hertford County, NC in 2007, and I saw their lawyers in action. And that just confirms to me that there is no justice where there is privilege and money. Please keep speaking out.
Posted by: Ann Early | November 25, 2014 at 11:39 AM
People that support PETA have no idea what they are actually supporting. peta kills just as many animals as our shelters do. They are a 501(c) 3 non -profit. They use your donations for things other than there intended purposes.One thing I would like to bring to the publics attention is peta is not compliant with IRS guidelines for 501's. They have 1 director. To be compliant a non-profit is required to have at least 3 board members
Posted by: Tammy Alcaraz | November 25, 2014 at 11:57 AM
I have given donations to PETA, but will not be donating anymore.
Posted by: Shirley Wilson | November 25, 2014 at 02:25 PM
PeTA and Ingrid Newkirk have long believed that people and non-human animals do not belong in the same world together. She truly abhors animal suffering but rather than help the animal and prosecute the abuser, she would rather just kill the animal.
Please read the following article with quotes from Ingrid Newkirk. It will open your eyes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingrid_Newkirk
Ingrid Newkirk, founder of PETA, quotes:
"We do not advocate "right to life" for animals."
On a postcard to Nathan Winograd, a neuter/release and no-kill shelter advocate[16].
""Euthanasia is the kindest gift to a dog or cat unwanted and unloved.
At a press conference in 2005, after two PETA employees were arrested for animal cruelty after dumping hundreds of dead animals in a dumpster
"In the end, I think it would be lovely if we stopped this whole notion of pets altogether."
Newsday, 1988 February 21.
"Pet ownership is an absolutely abysmal situation brought about by human manipulation."
Harper's, 1988 August 1.
Posted by: Anne Hesse | November 25, 2014 at 05:37 PM
Looks to me like PETA dug deep into their pockets and have paid people off. Demand an investigation, subpoena and audit bank accounts of the CA and farmer in question. To believe PETA was helping a livestock farmer round up strays is
Ludicrous.
Posted by: Elle | November 25, 2014 at 08:42 PM
i sound like a broken record- but people see all animal groups the same. i tell those not to give to high-profile groups. keep it local, do your homework. and best of all, VOLUNTEER!
Posted by: annie pelfrey | November 25, 2014 at 09:18 PM
I am in Virginia Beach and feel like I have been screaming into the wind over this-I cannot tell you how grateful i am to have strong voices speaking out for these poor innocent victims. PETA was once an organization that I held in high regard. As a high school student, I would clip articles and send them directly to the headquarters in DC. I am so horrified to learn that these people are nothing more than a very corrupted group of frauds. We have to seek justice and spread this. Reports on the news indicate PETA has complete support from the commonwealth's attorney and says "this is law school 101". Well then-why are we still in the dark here? There is a whole lot of money in the hands of PETA. Something shady is happening here and it will be covered up. -they are waiting for us to forget about it-please don't give up.Please
Posted by: Robin Germano | November 26, 2014 at 02:27 AM