THE group that has caused continuous debate and angst amongst woolgrowers across Australia, US-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), has recently come under fire for the poor treatment of animals in its own country.
It has been reported that PETA killed more than 14,000 dogs, cats and other companion animals from 1998 to 2005.
This equates to five animals killed each day at PETA’s Norfolk, Virginia, headquarters.
More recent figures show the kill rate has increased with 96 per cent of those animals sent to the organi-sation being put down.
PETA Asia-Pacific senior campaigner Ashley Fruno said taking the life of any animal was something that no one should take lightly. "While we campaign against the deaths of billions of healthy animals slaughtered by humans every year in ways that give normal people nightmares, there are, too often, tragic circumstances that call for someone to provide a ’good death’ or euthanasia," Ms Fruno said.
"PETA US handled far more animals than 2240 in 2008.
"In fact, they took in more than 10,000 dogs and cats, spaying and neutering many of them at low to no cost. "
"Shots were given, wounds dressed and illnesses treated before they were returned to the community."
She said most of the animals that were taken in and euthanased could not be called "pets" as they had spent their lives tied to heavy chains.
"Those figures also do not include the hundreds upon hundreds of dogs and cats whose suffering PETA US works to alleviate by providing them with free food when their owners are poor," she said.
"Since 2001, PETA have sterilised more than 50,000 animals.
"As long as animals are bred, homeless dogs and cats in animal shelters will die because there simply aren’t enough good homes for them all.
"Euthanasia is not a solution to overpopulation but rather a tragic necessity given the present crisis.
"PETA US is proud to be a ’shelter of last resort’ where animals who have no place to go or who are unwanted or suffering are welcomed with love and open arms."