this notorious prince philip allows himself a bit too much - isn't he the one that pink refused to sing for him because of bad treatment of animals? anyhow - he would be doing well in taking his sublime mother for a shining example! lady diana was strictly against hunting, a vegetarian and furfree - my respect Lady Diana - you are the Queen of my heart - you alone!!!!

Posted by: the undertaker | May 30, 2007 03:57 PM

It certainly does raise questions.

Why is it ok to pamper our dogs, yet think nothing of letting horses, pigs, cows, chickens be tortured and killed to eat?

Or let foxes, mink, raccoon dogs, and more get tortured and killed to wear as coats?

Or elephants to be beaten mercilessly while our USDA does nothing?

It is astonishing that the royals have such peasant values.

Posted by: kelly | May 30, 2007 04:01 PM

my respect mark - you are a real guy! but maybe the Queen would taste better!

Posted by: jimmy the shark | May 30, 2007 04:06 PM

I am impressed. Hopefully it will make a few people think.

Posted by: Canaduck | May 30, 2007 04:30 PM

i applaud thee mark mcgowan, i wonder if he threw up, dont vegitarians get sick if they eat meat after not eating it for awhile

Posted by: kaitlin | May 30, 2007 04:48 PM

I recommend working with diverse interest groups rather than attacking some of wildlife’s strongest proponents.

Read the new book "Intelligent Courgage".

One group that gets a lot of flak from PETA includes hunters. If you look at the numbers (the facts), modern regulated-hunters (not poachers) have done more to preserve critical habitat and restore wild species than any of the shopping mall bound PETA folks that contribute daily to habitat destruction and the associated death of millions of animals via the credit card.

Biologist agree, the single biggest threat to wildlife is loss, or modification of habitat.

How many acres of wild-land has PETA preserved?

Ohhhh, but what about all the animals regulated-hunters kill? Biologically, does it matter if a plow or shopping mall kills the animal via the destruction of habitat and displacement, or a car strike, or a hunter? Is there really any difference, biologically, from a bear (a predatory mammal) killing an elk or a hunter (a predatory mammal). The only real difference is that regulated hunters have a voice and have collectively done more for wildlife than any other group worldwide.

PETA vegetarians kill more with the plow than hunters with guns. Rather than going all "Disney" perhaps PETA should examine the basic principles of biology

Humans are animals and are part of the ecosystem. Death occurs everywhere and continuously (you would know this if you knew your biology and got out of the shopping mall and somewhere without pavement). Screwing with someone else’s life by imposing your illogical and self righteous belief systems on others won't change basic biology, or sound ecosystem management, it just makes you jerks.

Buying lettuce and other veggies supports the severe destruction of wildlife that only a plow and the dewatering of rivers for irrigation can provide. If you don't want to impact animals, your only choice is not to exist.

Vegetarians are just as guilty of impacting wildlife as omnivores. When the plow goes into the ground, all but one species (the crop) is killed. When a bushman eats a spring hair, the entire ecosystem stays intact. Bushman and there analogs aren’t the problem.

Human over population is the problem. Eating vegetables or baning hunting won't change that.

If you stop the hunters from hunting, we will loose support of many of the wild places, and then the malls will come in, and car dealerships, until it is all paved. Or it will be the farms that come in first, the estruction will be the same.

Examine the biological and ecological effects of your own actions before condemning others.

Will you post this? I doubt it. I'm sure you wouldn't want a few facts to get in the way of your self rightous view of yourself and your associated social pretences.

Posted by: Craig Contor | May 30, 2007 06:06 PM

I'm quite sure that vegi's would vomit if eating meat after a long term of not doing so. I think this was a good idea to prove the point but I would never do anything like that as I will be a vegetarian for the rest of my life.

Posted by: Darren | May 30, 2007 09:30 PM

Ahhh yes, this is inspiring...

That is if the word "inspired" has changed it's meaning only in relation to this article to mean: yet another ridiculous way to make sure people associate the term "vegetarian" with "utter lunatic"... Then, yes it's highly "inspired."

Is there really anyone out there actually so delusional as to think that this silly stunt will make anyone at all who wasn't already on Team Animal Rights suddenly go "Wait just a moment, this man is eating a dog to prove that killing animals is wrong?" More than likely I'd wager people will say "That's disgusting." and lump it into the great big ball of "Why Animal Rights Activists Are Insane In Their Opinion, And This Just Proves It. Who Wants To Go Out For Hamburgers?"

It's schmucks like this fellow that always help me have such a difficult time explaining to people that I'm not criminally insane for buying tofu and objecting to fur. Yet another blow struck for rational discourse, but by all means keep drinking the Kool-Aid, or eating the Corgi as the case may be, and pretending this will impact anyone (or any animal) in any sort of positive manner...

Posted by: CupcakeMagee | May 30, 2007 10:48 PM

I don't know how he could stand to eat the dog meat since he is a vegetarian - but I congratulate him on making such a statement by doing so.

"the undertaker" is so right about Lady Diana, she is one of the classiest Royals ever - she puts many of them to shame, even posthumously.

I hope this very creative stunt gets people really thinking about the different standards that exist when it comes to eating animals, and why people think nothing of eating a dead cow, pig, sheep, lamb, rabbit, deer, etc, but are horrified about the thought of eating a dog or cat.

Posted by: Michele | May 30, 2007 11:02 PM

Mark McGowan a Vegetarian??? This is the same guy who ate a swan to protest the upperlasses and the monarchy, ate a fox to protest the plight of "crackheads", and sat in a tub of baked beans with sausages stuffed up his nose to advocate for the eating of that traditional English breakfast. The "protest" is obvisously not what is important to him, it is the spectale. He randomly keyed cars parked on the street to advertise one of his gallery shows. The attention it brings to him as an artist is his only concern, he is not an animal rights activist.

Posted by: Travis Humphrey | May 31, 2007 08:59 AM

I think it is deplorable and an insult to those of us who advocate for animal rights.
PETA should condemn the stunt immediately!!!!

Posted by: Cindy | May 31, 2007 09:13 AM

Are you kidding? Inspired?
Its disgusting, vile and horrid. I can't believe anyone with PETA would condone this!!! What's wrong with you people? Do you really think you will make converts out of people with this sort of thing? What's next, a dead human for lunch to prove some point? I'm a dog lover and happen to have a Corgi. And while I believe in this cause rest assured I would punch him in the face if I ever saw this sick bastard. I hope he winds up on someone's breakfast table. That goes double for Yoko Ono.

Posted by: CorgiLover | May 31, 2007 10:23 AM

Humans are "animals" some of us choose to be more than sentient beings, we choose to be thinking beings. That is why this site exists. Even outside of the "mall" or the "pavement" we will still be thinking animals. Other human animals however, inside or outside the "mall," will choose not to think. Its ok. We will continue to try to get you to evolve into thinking beings. Be patient.

Posted by: Gabriella | May 31, 2007 10:55 AM

CorgiLover, judging from your name I can see why you're annoying with the situation, but there is a difference between having an animal killed and eating it to demonstrate how you feel and taking an already dead dog to do it.

Rather than the dog be buried and forgotten about, he used it to effectively display his opinion on the treatment of foxes by the royal family. While I find his form of protest disgusting, kudos to him for being able to eat it, as well as publicly displaying his opinion against a well-respected icon.

Thankfully they’re open-minded overseas, or else he’d get a Saddam Hussein-esque punishment for sure.

Posted by: Robert Rodriguez | May 31, 2007 11:18 AM

Woops, I meant "why you're annoyed with the situation", haha. I dont' find you annoying :P

Posted by: Robert Rodriguez | May 31, 2007 11:33 AM

Robert,
Matters not to me if it is a Corgi or a mutt or a purple and pink polka dotted Dachsund. Its disgusting and does nothing for the cause but to turn people off.
He could have displayed his public protest in a million other ways. Let's not forget that there are plenty of cultures that do in fact eat dogs. Sorry. Can't agree.

Posted by: CorgiLover | May 31, 2007 01:59 PM

Think about it this way: Tens of billions of animals are eaten a year without it doing one bit of good except contributing to heart disease, obesity, and cancer in humans and horrible suffering in the animal victims. This one instance of eating an animal out of those tens of billions actually helped to stimulate a national debate. Taken in a vacuum, McGowan's stunt was no worse than what most people do at mealtimes three times a day--but in context it actually helped to bring animal rights issues into the mainstream. Good for you, Mark.

Posted by: Jonesy | May 31, 2007 02:05 PM

Craig, if you look at PETA's FAQs you will see they have clearly stated that they have no issue with native tribal groups killing wildlife for food if it's sustainable.

I am earning a master's degree in wildlife conservation, and you and I both know that lead bullets are harmful to the environment. Also overhunting, poaching and the wildlife trade are contributing to extinctions.

Having said that, I support your position that habitat loss is the worst threat to humans and animals alike. I grew up in NH surrounded by hunters, and most of them are honorable folk.

I have one question for you: are we going to work together, since we have the same goals, or against each other and just let the earth rot in hell?

Please please please look at the book called Entanglements by Tora Johnson. Just read the introduction. This book could change how animal activists and hunters and fishermen live together. Thanks for listening.

Also, sorry to go on, but regarding the corgi: am I to understand that this guy obtained the dog from a farm that allowed the animal to die? Please be more specific: did he hand over money to these people who run a puppy mill?

This guy seems to be using PETA as free advertising for his career. And you let him do it? Am I mistaken?

Posted by: Maya | May 31, 2007 02:28 PM

I belong to an international group of dog aficionados on the web, all who are passionate about their dogs and many animals for that matter. Now I'm sure many of them still eat animals but I will tell you this as well. These types would be the first amongst converts since they already humanize the animals they live with.
I know many who are growing increasingly aware of this issue and were ripe for awareness. Based on the voluminous response from this group and 100% outrage at this man and Yoko, I'm hedging my bets this guy did more harm than good. As an above person wrote, all it does is reinforce the animals rights crowd as kooks. He only served to get people's backs up. Nuff said from me. You know my position and it will NOT change.

Posted by: CorgiLover | May 31, 2007 02:29 PM

What did I miss? What did Yoko do?

Posted by: Tamara | May 31, 2007 03:33 PM

Craig Contor, many hunters ARE poachers

as well as drunk thugs who shoot each other, never mind wounding and torturing animals instead of demonstrating any weaponry skill

and hunters have decimated populations and species

(not to mention, prevent the majority non-hunters from using and enjoying the outdoors)

Hunters come from the LEAST educated, LEAST intelligent populations

Why, do you think?

Posted by: kelly | May 31, 2007 03:39 PM

Kelly, yes, you're right.

Hunters often come from poor families who cannot afford Harvard or other schools that you probably take for granted.

Often hunters and their families work their asses off just to not starve. Another stereotype is that they care deeply about the family pets and they do their best to live a sustainable life and they aim to kill the animal instantly.

These are the kind of people who will risk their own lives finding some over-privelleged brats who get lost in the forest on a hike or skiing. These are also the kinds of people who help search and rescue teams with no regard to their own safety.

Poachers, especially in South America, often find that instead of starving to death working some lousy fruit farm can make real money selling wild endangered animals because our wealthy jerks in the good ol' USA like to drape endangered species on our wall or worse, keep beautiful endangered owls or jaguars in the basement as a status symbol.

If I had that choice or starving, I can't say that I wouldn't be a poacher myself.

Of course our lovely goverment has spend billions on war and giving raises to politicians and none to make sure Fish and Wildlife has an ethic that is becoming of the most privelleged nation in the world.

I respect your passion, Kelly, but can you please direct it at the government or at our wealthy society? Picking in individuals probably gets us nowhere fast. You obviously care enough to want real progress.

Posted by: Maya | May 31, 2007 04:04 PM

Tamara,
Yoko ate some of the Corgi too. Oh and ruined the Beatles...haha...kidding.

Posted by: CorgiLover | May 31, 2007 04:47 PM

With all respect to the Late Princess Diana, she was never a vegetarian. She did not hunt but did not condone her sons for hunting with their blood thirsty father, Prince Charles. In fact she said in an interview that hunting was something that was a normal thing for their class in society.
It amazes me that people like Diana could have so much genuine compassion for the suffering of people but none for animals.
When one of Princess Anne's bull terriers killed one of the Queen's corgis she, the Queen, was inconsolable.
Yet her husband Prince Philip has hunted almost every animal that can be hunted, and I suppose she sees that as normal too. They probably had a good laugh about this little corgi getting eaten.

Posted by: Maureen E. Roth | May 31, 2007 05:56 PM

Corgilover,

I agree this stunt is disgusting to many of us dog lovers, but I can see from your very reaction that it has made you think about this issue and hopefully tell all your friend dog lovers, which will make them think about it too.

As far as I can see from this article this guy did this as a stunt aimed at the RSPCA and the Royal family. This is a blog, it doesn't say that this stunt was anything to do with PETA, it is just here for us to know about and discuss. That is what this blog is about showing us what is going on in the world with animals, good or bad.

Posted by: Anotherdoglover | June 1, 2007 01:01 AM

wow - i fear this blog got some hidden poachers - open your eyes!

Posted by: jimmy the shark | June 1, 2007 05:13 AM

I think if the animal was already dead and was not killed or mistreated - it's ok! Because a normal vegetarian doesn't eat meat because the to be eaten animal was killed and suffered. Anyhow I would neither eat a dead animal which died alone because for me the two possiblities are disgusting but for this single stunt it's ok for one time!

Posted by: Candy | June 1, 2007 05:21 AM

Craig Contor wishes to perpetuate the myth that rural folk are all unrecognized heroes, and everyone else are self-obssessed, spoiled, city-slickers who don't understand how the world really works. Like hell we don't. Read a new book, CC. Try "Dominion" by Mathew Scully.

FYI: Prince Philip is Queen Elizabeth's husband. William and Harry are Diana's sons.

Posted by: James | June 1, 2007 07:40 PM

Wow, definatly mixed reactions to this. I'm not sure what I think about this.
If I read correctly, it was *OK* to eat the dog, because it died of natural causes? What if a cow died of natural causes, would you eat it?

Posted by: Tay | June 2, 2007 02:08 AM

I teach a multicultural group of students, and some started criticizing Koreans for eating dogs. I simply asked, "What do you think a person from India feels when they see so many fast food restaurants selling hamburgers?"

Posted by: Adriana Romanini | June 2, 2007 11:46 AM

I was outraged when I read an article concerning Mark McGowan eating a few bites of a Corgi in protest of Fox Hunting by the British Royal
Family.

I am a Corgi owner and a vegetarian who never hunts. I find Mark McGowan’s eating of a Corgi’s flesh disgusting, barbaric and cruel.

Corgi’s are such innocent animals. I didn't appreciate seeing a man eat Corgi.
Something needs to be done concerning McGowan’s behavior. The thought of a man eating a Corgi like my beloved pet’s flesh is awful. Mr. McGowan has disgusted me with his awful behavior.

What have my pet
and myself done to have to look at a picture of that man eating Corgi flesh.

An American Corgi Owner and Vegetarian
and
Duke, Pembroke Corgi, who is a semi vegan with favorite foods of carrots and tomatoes.

Posted by: Dukes Mom | June 4, 2007 05:50 PM

I think it is disgusting, As a owner of three Corgis now, We just lost one to Lymphoma after a year of chemo. I think we ought to cut off this mans arm and eat it in front of him. Look to China you fool. If you want to see real animal abuse. Make a sign ,write a letter, protest out loud. Leave the Corgis out of it. Should I kill every one that drinks because someone I loved was killed by a drunk driver?
You make no sense, along with all that blindly suport your actions. My knucles itch for some of your jaw.
Robert J. Mink
proudly owned by Corgis
Stop by south jersey sometime you freak

Posted by: Robert J. Mink | June 7, 2007 05:04 PM

I must agree that this is disgusting. But, most hunters are not the drinking white trash stereotype. Most of them are very respectable people, most of the ones I know, having served their country (Marines OORAH!) How would you feel if I equated every animal rights activists to HAMAS for animal rights? I know that not every animal rights activists commit terrorist acts, many of the ones I know are also very respectable.

I don't care if this dog died of natural causes, or was killed by Michael Vick. Eating the body is desacrating the Corgi's body. How could you possibly eat a Corgi? They are so adorable (though, I myself prefer Holland Lop rabbits :) I may be preparing to register to hunt but I believe in a clean kill that minimizes the suffering of the animal. I don't enjoy watching living things suffer, but I intend do everything that hunting can help with (population control, donate venison and fur to homeless, etc.)

This isn't helping any cause besides turning people away from his cause and enraging people.

Posted by: A Right Wing Conspirator | March 11, 2008 10:41 PM