TV Stations Balk at Ad Comparing Dog Breeders to Klansmen for Promoting 'Purebreds'

For Immediate Release:
May 27, 2008
Contact: Melissa Karpel 757-622-7382

Rochester, Minn. - An edgy new PETA ad, which shows a hooded Ku Klux Klan member making himself right at home at a meeting of the American Kennel Club (AKC)--a dog registry that only accepts purebreds--has been rejected by TV stations serving the Rochester area. Animal shelters are struggling to cope with the companion animal overpopulation crisis. (Editor’s comment: They could follow PETA’s lead and just kill them all. See my previous post) PETA had hoped to run the ad in Rochester during a dog show--where breeding is promoted despite the deaths of dogs in animal shelters--on May 29 and 30 that is being hosted by the AKC. Several area TV stations rejected the controversial ad, but it was accepted for airing on stations in Charlotte, N.C.

The 30-second spot begins as a Klansman walks into an American Kennel Club (AKC) meeting and is told that he's in the wrong place. After he gets the meeting's speaker to concede that both groups believe in the "sanctity of pure bloodlines" and a "master race"--or "master pedigree"--he declares, "I'll fit right in here," and takes a seat. The ad concludes with the message "All dogs are created equal."

PETA condemns the AKC as irresponsible because it discriminates against mixed-breed dogs, promotes dog breeding, and spurs people to buy purebreds from breeders and pet stores while animal shelters overflow with unwanted mixed-breed dogs who desperately need homes. Each year, approximately 6 to 8 million unwanted animals end up in animal shelters nationwide.

"People who are offended by the KKK's obsession with pure bloodlines should also be offended by the AKC's contempt for wonderful mutts who need homes," says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "The AKC opposes spay-and-neuter laws that would save the lives of hundreds of thousands of animals."

To view the ad and be offended, click here. But beware, this is PETA porn at its worst. Adults with a strong tolerance for sleaze only. As offensive as the ad is, they’ll probably never be able to top their holocaust ad of a few years ago for just plain, over-the-top, incredible and tasteless insensitivity.