PETA Weighs In On Obama Dog Bo
Written by Vegetarian Star on April 14th, 2009 in Animal Issues, Politicians.
Although months of rumors indicated the Obamas were getting a shelter dog, it was recently revealed the Portuguese water dog they took home was a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy.
The decision to do so after promising to adopt a shelter dog has incited a lot of controversy from animal rights groups. PETA, of course, is putting in their two cents. And they’re not happy with the decision.
“Let us be clear: The new first dog, Bo, is not a rescue. While he was returned to the breeder by his first owners, that subtle point is missing from or buried in most news reports and is no doubt lost on the masses of people who will be lining up at pet shops and demanding “Obama puppies.” These puppies will eventually lose their appeal, once people get tired of taking care of them, but because most pet shops and many breeders don’t take “returns,” guess where those unwanted “Obama puppies” are going to end up? At extremely crowded, overworked shelters like D.C.’s Washington Humane Society (WHS).”
Read the entire post PETA wrote on the Obama dog at peta.org.
What are your thoughts on Bo? Did Obama break an important promise and set a bad example for future pet owners? Or was it just extremely hard to find a shelter dog that was hypoallergenic?
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April 14th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I say give them a break. If the daughter has allergies, the number one priority is finding a dog that’s suitable. There’s no guarantee you’re going to find a hypoallergenic dog at a shelter-it could be a mixed breed with one that isn’t.
There’s no use in having a loving, animal companion if it makes you sick every day.
Obama did what he could do and paid his dues by giving to the Humane Society. It’s time to stop persecuting him.
April 15th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Givethey a break ?! I don’t think so breeders are evil.
April 15th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Oops I meant them.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I think they could definitely have found a suitable “hypoallergenic” rescue pup if they only made it a priority to. Every rescue group in the country would have been on the search for the perfect one. It is disappointing because what the Obamas do really matter. Now I am sure there will the throngs of people wanting this same type of purebred. Because of the selfishness of people there is a pet poplulation crisis causing millions of unwanted animals to suffer terribly and be euthanized every day. If the breeders and puppy mills stopped adding to the population (in the name of greed), we could help turn this problem around. Obama could have shown that rescue dogs are just as wonderful as pure-breds (often without nearly as many costly health problems). I think this was a missed opportunity and it is a shame.