International Association Of Independent Journalists Inc.

[Maurice]

PETA Crosses The Line!

By Maurice Ali, Journalist



Toronto, Canada - PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals) has always been very provocative in it's campaigns against cruelty to animals; but it has crossed the line with this one:



This cartoon was a leaflet being given to women caught wearing fur at a showing of the Nutcracker Suite at Toronto's Hummingbird center (17th of December, 2003). While the handing out of a leaflet is considered tame compared to what other PETA members have done (like spray painting the fur coats); PETA has crossed the line of morality by targeting young children and turning them against their mothers if 'mommy" wears fur.

Here is a direct quote from the second page of the leaflet:

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"Your Mommy Kills Animals!

It would make you feel sad, wouldn't it? Why would anyone be so mean? But there are terrible people who cause our furry friends to die that way every day. And guess what? Your mommy kills animals! I bet you didn't know that.

Lots of wonderful foxes, raccoons, and other animals are kept by mean farmers who squish them into cages so small that they can hardly move. They never get to play or swim or have fun. All they can do is cry-just so your greedy mommy can have that fur coat to show off in when she walks the streets.

In the forest, nasty men in boots catch animals with traps that have metal claws that snap shut on animals's legs. Ouch! Some animals bite off their own paws to get away! Mommy foxes do this because they want to get back to their babies to feed them, but they usually die anyway and their babies slowly starve to death, scared and all alone. Trapped animals who don't escape from the traps get stomped to death by the nasty men. Ask your mommy how many dead animals she killed to make her fur colothes. Then tell her that you know she paid men to hurt and kill the animals. Everyone knows. And the sooner she stops wearing fur, the sooner the animals will be safe. Until then, keep your doggie or kitty friends away from mommy-she's an animal killer!"

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Accompanying the text is a "skinned" photo of an animal. The use of "mommy" and "doggie or kitty friends" clearly shows that the cartoon is made for children and not the teens PETA officialy claims (i.e. over thirteen). This to me is a low blow for PETA. This one goes too far. This is targeting children who are in no position to evaluate such material in a mature manner and judge it properly.....all they read is that mommy is a killer if she wears fur. They are "using" children for their political ends, by trying to turn them against their mothers. "Shame on you PETA!" Officials of PETA were not available for comment; but if any wish equal time.....we at fortressoffreedom.com will be happy to oblige.


Comments/discussion and actual copy of leaflet.