You'll have to keep us updated on what happens. He was arrested, but will he be charged and given a penalty?

Posted by: Ashes | February 26, 2008 05:58 PM

Ugh. Sorry that this is unrelated to the post, but I just read an article that said that Anchorage just held its first annual running of the reindeer, described as "Alaska's version of Spain's famed running of the bulls." Great. We really needed another of those.

Posted by: KF | February 26, 2008 07:27 PM

Now, if only they were equally concerned with another equally intelligent and equally emotionally complex animal...

As Gary Francione at Rutgers Law school points out, if we most people would be horrified at someone caging and beating a dog just for fun, why support the same to a pig just because we want pepperoni on our pizza?

We cannot include other species in ethics if we continue to consider them our property. Which means...

Cut out the crap - go vegan!

GoVeg.com

Posted by: Mark | February 26, 2008 08:16 PM

this borders the idea of things we would see were we to give animals legal standing/rights.
and thats not a bad thing.

Posted by: Jess | February 26, 2008 10:02 PM

I read the comments posted below the full story - lots of REALLY sensitive people there (not). If someone had shouted an obscenity at a child like that, people would be in an uproar. But of course, it is "just" a dog.

Hopefully this has gotten at least a few people to really think about their behaviour and how it affects others (human or non-human)...

Posted by: Michele | February 26, 2008 10:39 PM

Uh yeah...

If they would only pay attention when people do WORSE things to animals than yell at them...

Like oh I dunno...physically torture them in slaughterhouses...beat dogs...microwave cats...that sort of thing...

A little slap on the wrist is all that's given if the case is even prosecuted.

And of course you know everyone turns away from the slaughterhouse thing...

Posted by: Tamara | February 27, 2008 12:18 AM

Okay, but seriously, PETA, this is the sort of thing people joke about when they make fun of your organization. I know you do a lot of great stuff and deal with some seriously horrible animal abuse, but most people refuse to believe that such abuse even exists. A charge like this trivializes the real cruelty out there (most of which, incidentally, is totally legal); it makes us look like maniacs who overreact to stupid, minor infractions.

Posted by: Canaduck | February 27, 2008 12:40 AM

The guy probably wouldn't have gotten written up on the charges if he hadn't acted like such a jerk when the officer questioned him. You've got to be a moron anyway to provoke a police animal in front of a human associate. A police dog's value should never be underestimated. Their ability to sniff out bombs or drugs makes an invaluable contribution to a police force.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | February 27, 2008 11:17 AM

Cursing at a dog? Geez. Dude. Get some coffee, have a bagel or two, and put down the bottle, and get a job.

I wonder what's next...
Yelling at inanimate objects?

Posted by: Kat | February 27, 2008 01:42 PM

Canaduck, I think the only reason people joke and make fun of Peta is because by laughing and joking they don't have to focus on certain realities. Often admiting to these realities involve a lot of self reflection.

This is why it's so important that we do not fully rely on organizations to spread the message. You need to spread the message, I need to spread the message. Personally, I've built enough credibility with the people around me, that they know whatever issue I speak about is legitimate.

Also, I don't think that the reptile skin industry qualifies for a minor infraction either. An animal is an animal, bottom line.

Posted by: Jaclyn | February 27, 2008 02:33 PM

Hopefully the police dog just looked at this demented bawling nut and think he had really gone off his rocker.. a deranged 'nutball' if ever there was..
I doubt v. much he hurt the dog's feelings in any case.. the dog just thought he was a loony.. and nope.. didn't understand a single word he said..! :1

Posted by: YuenF | February 27, 2008 02:37 PM

It wasn't the obscenity that was the issue.

The guy was acting aggressively toward a police dog and trying to create a problem and get the dog to attack.

I wonder how many people would feel if someone did this to their dog, got bitten, and then they and their dog get charged and sued?

Posted by: kelly | February 27, 2008 03:04 PM

i agrre with tamara, we should be dealing with more serious issues than a guy yelling at a dog, even though it is pretty stupid, i go and see dogs in less than 5 ft square cages in their own feces, thats what we need to deal with

Posted by: erica | February 27, 2008 04:20 PM

Kelly is exactly right. Had the K9 bitten this creep, you know darn well he would have sued the city / police dept as though it was their fault.

I took a shortcut through a police station parking lot once and unknowingly walked past a patrol car with a K9 in it. The dog nearly broke through the window at me. Really dumb to mess with them intentionally.

This is reminiscent of the now dead teen who teased the tiger at that zoo and got himself killed. Sorry, but you play with fire, you might get burned.

In the interest of protecting society from these morons, they need to be punished legally!!

Posted by: Maya, CVT | February 27, 2008 05:27 PM

Mike,
You are absolutely correct when you place value on service animals. I am moved every time I see a seeing eye dog, a drug dog, and definitely every time I see a beautiful setter on point over a covey of birds. These dogs (for as well as I can read dog emotion) seem to be very happy and satisfied with their jobs. Oliver, my bird dog, absolutely loses his mind when I get up and put on hunting clothes or mention bird hunting. The point of all this is that PETA seems to be against animals in the service of humans. What do you think? I am not trying to be clever or catch you in a lie. I simply believe that the happiest dogs I have ever seen are the dogs that are doing something, even if that something is in the service of man. I have stated before that to take away bird hunting from Oliver would definitely downg grade his quality of life and I believe him to be happier than the Labs that are confined to backyards in the city.

Posted by: Christopher Cochran MD | February 27, 2008 06:25 PM

Good points, Maya, Michele, Mike, and Jess. Further, a year or so ago, a police dog was killed in the line of duty and the officers held a memorial for him. Many people mocked the whole thing, but for the officer, this was his partner. Police forces with their dogs across Canada and the US attended the ceremony with pride for their fallen comrade. I can see the officer in this case being outraged by the verbal assault on his partner. I have great respect for that.

Posted by: lynda downie | February 28, 2008 01:55 AM

what an asshole he was evil

Posted by: Adrienne | February 28, 2008 09:04 AM

Yes, Christopher, but this police dog doesn't benefit humans to the detriment of other animals.

Posted by: Anonymous | February 28, 2008 10:48 AM

please take dog care of your dogs.watch them careuully.

Posted by: Anonymous | February 28, 2008 11:13 AM

Christopher,

how does killing birds just for the hell of it provide a service to animals?

Posted by: Tamara | February 28, 2008 06:08 PM

Christopher,

how does killing birds just for the hell of it provide a service to animals or humans?

Posted by: Tamara | February 28, 2008 06:14 PM

Lynda, what a great story. What a shame people can't see why the dog deserved a funeral. Their loss! ;)

Dr. Chris - (I'm always torn between the polite Dr title versus first names!LOL)

I completely understand wanting to take your dog with you, but do you really think your dog would be devestated if you did NOT kill the birds while you were out there? The reason your dog is so happy is because of your companionship and the fresh forest air!

I know many hunters who claim to just love the experience of being out in the woods. I can't speak for PETA, but I think that it would be terrific if hunters could shoot animals with a camera instead! ;)

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | February 28, 2008 08:07 PM

some awesome comments on here from everyone.... it's so great to know that so many caring pple are out there, LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

bottom line, this is a step in the right direction for our precious animals. even if some pple think that it's a little overboard, so f***ing what?!!!?? if nothing else, it sets a precedent that cruelty/harrassment to animals WON'T be tolerated.

now if only charges could be filed against ALL S.O.B's who torture animals...

Posted by: katie | February 28, 2008 08:18 PM

Freedom of speech should take precedent.

Posted by: George Sterpka | February 29, 2008 05:50 AM

Tamara,
You missed the point. Hunting dogs are just one of the examples of service dogs. I understood peta to be against all service animals. I do not do anything "just for the hell of it." My dog would kindly disagree, I am sure, that his hunting opportunities are no service to him or me for that matter as he works quite hard at it and seems to enjoy every minute. In fact, when it is time to go and he is exhausted, I have to pick up his ninety pound body and put it in the truck because he isn't ready to quit yet.

Posted by: Christopher Cochran MD | February 29, 2008 10:10 AM

I think the purpose of including this story is to show the schophrenic attitude of society in general, when it comes to animals. On the one hand you can torture and mutilate one group of animals (so you can eat them), or tie your dog up in the backyard for the rest of its natural life,but on the other hand, if you yell at a dog, you are in danger of going to jail. Why does one animal have so much more worth?

Posted by: Debby | February 29, 2008 01:29 PM

Chistopher,

I believe Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer) could find more humane ways for your hunting dog to channel his energies.

I have watched his show many times and people in suburban settings have dogs that have those natural hunting instincts.

But he does tell them to go out and kill birds.

I understood your point completely.

Posted by: Tamara | February 29, 2008 09:11 PM

Chris,

Hi - I completely agree that your dog benefits from your hunting trips, and I think it's great to see a wonderful pet owner like yourself. But do you really think your dog would be devestated if you didn't actually kill birds while you were out there? Would he even know the difference?

He may still chase birds, but that's what makes him tired - your act of putting a bullet in a wild animal does not give him the joy. It's your companionship, the fresh air, exercise and stimulation.

So sparing a wild creature would make the trip better for all, and your dog would get the same benefits! ;)

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | March 1, 2008 01:10 PM

Maya,
You make a great point. One of the best parts of his experience is finding the downed bird and retrieving it, though. This is not the point of my original post, however. Originally I mentioned the notion that PETA would eliminate ALL service dogs.

Posted by: Christopher Cochran MD | March 3, 2008 09:53 AM

Hi Chris!

Thank you for considering my comments - your point is well taken. ;)

I have never seen a statement by PETA saying that they want to eliminate all service dogs. I do know of a statement they made about helping dogs (for the blind, deaf, etc) and here is what I gleaned from it:

The helping dog industry could get the animals from shelters, but they insist on purebreds. That's one objection. Another is that an unfair amount is expected from the dogs - that they are not allowed to be treated as family members, are very strictly trained and are on call 24 hours a day.

What PETA says makes it unfair is that the dog's hard work and strict training is not rewarded in any way, and the dogs are often given to children who torment them, who are allowed to neglect their basic needs and the dog is severely punished if they react to any unpleasant situation.

I have seen this with my own eyes - one girl in the vet tech program was training a purebred german shepherd to be a seeing eye dog - he was under strict training from morning until the sun went down (he stayed with her all day) and was constantly being tested in mean ways in order to punish him if he reacted.

The poor dog never got praise, only tests and criticisms. He was very well behaved, but when he was diagnosed with lyme disease, (the trainer's fault for not vaccinating him) he was tossed aside like yesterday's trash.

I don't think PETA wants to eliminate all service dogs - like they said, a human would have to get paid to be by someone's side 24 hours a day, these dogs should be treated better.

;) Just my POV. ;)

Posted by: Maya, CVT | March 3, 2008 11:28 AM

Christopher,

Maybe Jack can enlighten us regarding PETA's stance on police and guide animals. I've looked on the site, but couldn't find the policy.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | March 3, 2008 11:49 AM

Maya,
You will be happy to know that Oliver is treated better than most people treat their children. If that is PETA's stance, then I completely agree with it. Part of Oliver's hard work is out of instinct and his own joy, but a great deal of it is to please me. I have found praise and love work wonders. He is absolutely insane when it comest to retrieving. He once retrieved ducks all morning when the temps were around 10 degrees. I had to make him get in the truck when the hunt was over. Some here will call that animal cruelty, but I promise you he would have found it cruel if I hadn't let him out of the boat. When he would shake off after he got back in the boat, a sheen of ice would cover us all. What a day!

Posted by: Christopher Cochran MD | March 3, 2008 04:23 PM

Christopher...

But don't you think there are more humane ways to fulfill your dog's hunting instinct?

Than for you to put a bullet in a bird and for him to retrieve it?

My position keeps the welfare of the dog. Your dog still has a job to do.

But also the birds do not die needlessly, just for your sport.

Perhaps you missed my reply.

Posted by: Tamara | March 3, 2008 08:47 PM

Canaduck: Why would people make fun of PETA for this? They didn't do anything, they are just reporting a story.

Posted by: Antigone1000 | March 4, 2008 10:17 AM

But Tamara from my perspective the birds do not die needlessly. They provide nutritious unprocessed unpreserved food for my children, wife and me. No meat recalls at my house!

Posted by: Christopher Cochran MD | March 4, 2008 10:22 AM

Christopher
Though Maya,Tamara and others have very ably addressed your questions, I just want to add that playing catch with Oliver could satisfy his retrieving instincts. I'm not sure what PeTAs position is on service animals, but I would prefer that only the animals who enjoy serving in some capacity do so, (like you say Oliver does). And then, they be fully compensated and respected for their service.

Posted by: lynda downie | March 5, 2008 02:13 AM

Lynda,
Oliver has worn out hundreds of tennis balls. I believe he is likely overcompensated for his "service." I realy don't consider it service, though. Oliver is just my favorite hunting companion, as our roles are different, but equally important. I have never forced him to hunt. Sometimes I have to trick him into eating breakfast, though because if he catches a hint that were headed to the field, he will not eat.

Posted by: Christopher Cochran MD | March 5, 2008 10:32 AM

Christopher
I bet he has!! It makes me smile just to see all those tattered tennis balls. Good dog!! I was just referring to service animals in general. I've no doubt Oliver is very well cared for and appreciated.

Posted by: lynda downie | March 6, 2008 12:14 AM