what is wrong with PETA?

Question

PLEASE, if you are not veggie/vegan dont answer this.

i've never figured out what the story was. are they good or bad? do they help animals or kill them?

lol i've got 8 answers so far and i think only one gives me an answer, all the other ones have me completely confused :). come on now, someone help me out.

Answer 1

Wow!

Some misinformation has been posted so far, especially from Actionfolksinger. PETA does not firebomb animal shelters. That is utter nonsense. Not only does that go against what PETA stands for, it’s ludicrous.
I also don’t know where Actionfolksinger is getting his information about this unnamed board member of PETA.

I am assuming you are referring to the two PETA employees (who last I heard are no longer with PETA but I can not substantiate that) who were found guilty of littering after having been caught dumping euthanized dogs and cats into a dumpster.
A lot of people only hear the headlines and don’t bother to get the full story.
Unfortunately, overcrowding in shelters is a huge problem and sometimes euthanizing the animals is the only humane option.
The two employees in question were alleviating the shelters of animals that were unfit for adoption or had been at the shelters “too long.” The two employees then euthanized the animals and were supposed to return to PETA’s headquarters, here in Norfolk, VA, with the corpses to be disposed, but the smell in the van become overpowering. The two, without PETA’s permission (if I can stress this enough), then dumped the euthanized animals in a dumpster behind a mall in Ahoskie, NC.
Now, there are differing stories on whether officials knew of PETA’s plans to euthanize the animals. My personal deduction is that the officials denying knowledge are/were just trying to cover their own behinds in a media blitz.
That being said though, PETA does not condone the disposal of the bodies in such a manner and very publicly suspended Hinkles (one of the two employees).
Initially, the two employees were facing a bevy of charges. I think it was somewhere around 21 felonies including animal cruelty (extremely trumped up charges, IMHO). In the end, though, the jury only found the two guilty of misdemeanor littering.

Keep in mind, that whenever someone takes a stanch position for his or her beliefs people will brand that individual a fanatic and often dismiss that individual’s opinion without giving it merit and consideration (ironically often labeling that individual ignorant, when is it not more ignorant to close the channels to proper debate?).
PETA gets a bad wrap for this. Yes, the organization uses outlandish protest techniques, but it is these techniques that garner attention and leads to a person discussing animal rights which is what PETA stands for: Animal rights!
So… while you may not agree with their stance and/or modus operandi, you should give them credit for their tenacity and compassion.

Think about if PETA had not campaigned against fur. You can't tell me they don't make a positive difference.

Finally, to all the people branding PETA employees as fanatical or crazy, while I myself do not work for PETA I do live less than a mile from the headquarters. I know a lot of the people that work at PETA, and they are some of the sweetest, most compassionate, and down-to-Earth people out there. I wish everyone would show 1% of the fortitude towards a positive cause that these individuals have.

Answer 2

PETA is a very interesting group.

From an unbiased standpoint, my perception of Peta is a well intentioned group of individuals who stand more passionately then the average American on things like Animal Rights and Anti-Animal Abuse. While most people you'll come across will say they are against animal abuse, those who are actually willing to stand up and physically do something about it, are in PETA, making them an Activist, rather then just someone who's against it.

PETA gets a lot of controversy when it comes to how active and passionate they are in their dealings. Most people have the perception of animal abuse as direct intentional abuse towards an animal, usually physical. More passionate activists broaden their view of abuse to include medical and scientific testing on animals, for whatever reasoning. A small group of even more extreme activists have been known to commit criminal acts to prevent animal abuse, like breaking into and stealing animals from such labs, while sabotaging it in the process. While not traditionally in the name of PETA, most of these people claim themselves under the name of the Animal Liberation Front, or (ALF). However PETA spokespeople have been known to openly support the ALF. The ALF has been often called a 'terrorist threat,' even by the United States Government.

While that is the legal criticism against PETA, many often claim PETA to be just a bunch of crying tree-hugging over reacting hippies, and even hypocritical at times for documented cases of inhumane treatment/conditions of animals within their own organization.

In my own opinion of the group, I do believe that while they can take things a little far over the edge, they form a bit of a checks and balance system for those who are careless with animals, (individuals and companies the same) preventing the abuse of many animals, and that they have a very healthy mission, though sometimes taking action in a little less healthy manner, or supporting those who do.

Hope this has helped!

Answer 3

PETA is really a bunch of radical people that just really want to make their point. If you look at sources other than peta, though, you will find that they are spot on as far as what goes on in the meat industry. Google things like "rape racks" "animals raised for foods" etc, and you will find legitimate sources other than peta that document the cruelty. Another issue most people overlook is the unsanitary conditions food animals are raised in. If you eat meat or poultry, you also eat their feces. No way around it. The meat is laced with it, and therefor has to be injected with toxic chemicals to overcome the fecal contamination. Meat, in all forms, is nasty

Answer 4

They do, in fact, promote euthanasia.

but whether the "putting to sleep" of suffering animals is "good" or "bad" is an issue of much debate, and is one that I don't think will ever be resolved fully because it's more of a matter of opinion.

What I think IS bad about PETA is their approach...they're mostly responsible for vegetarians being stereotyped as crazy and preachy.

PETA does have some good campaigns, but at the same time, sponsors demonstrations with people spraying fake blood on innocent bystanders and such.

Answer 5

I am a 100% percent vegetarian and I like what PETA does they are a bit on the radical side although, try the Humane Society http://www.fund.org I really like them and have sigh up for there E-Mails.

Answer 6

help, boycott products that even remotely harm animals in any way, shape or form.

Being veggie/vegan has nothing to do with joining PETA.
Not all veggies/vegans are in PETA :/

Answer 7

It's more of an opinon thing, I personally don't like them I think they're hypocrites. I dont remember where I saw it but they had this article showing dead puppies and that PETA was disposing of them it was so horrible :(. I also think they push their opinons on people to much, but go by what you want.

Answer 8

They firebomb animal shelters calling them prisons. They save hundreds of animals every year but destroy the ones they can't place because they don't have the facilities for long term housing.
Let's see what else. They want a ban on all animal testing or using of animal products. But a member of their board is a diabetic. She needs medication that is derived form animal products.

Answer 9

where do we start. spend a day on researching peta and come to your own conclusions. sift through the hype and find the thruth.

Answer 10

peta are against cruelty to animals. but they are very extreme. some may say even terrorist like.