PETA Speaks Up On the Molly Dognapping
The saga of Molly, the stolen and ultimately returned Logan Circle area dog, has garnered the interest of aggressive animal rights group PETA. The group sent out a press release today urging pet owners never to leave their animals tied up alone outside. From the release:
Molly, the 7-year-old Vizsla who was dognapped after her guardians left her tied up unattended outside a Washington, D.C., Whole Foods store, is one lucky dog: She was returned to her family safe and sound nearly a month after she was taken. Many dogs who are left unattended are sold under the table, used as "bait" in fights involving pit bulls, or suffer other miserable fates. PETA urges guardians never to leave dogs or cats alone outside a store, restaurant, or anywhere else, even for "just a minute." That minute may haunt an animal guardian for the rest of his or her life.
Leaving animals outdoors unattended invites tragedy. Tied up alone, animals can easily be stolen, attacked by other animals, or subjected to random acts of cruelty. If spooked by a loud noise, an animal might also slip his or her collar in a panic and get lost or hit by a car. Scared dogs can bite children or adults—even those with the best of intentions—who approach clumsily.
All good points, though we'll admit we're curious to hear how our most indignant commenters feel about making the same arguments as the group that once compared eating meat to the Holocaust.
The rest of PETA's Molly-related message is after the jump.
PETA recommends that you take the following simple precautions to protect your animal companions' safety:
- If you plan to run errands while you're out walking your dog, bring a human companion along. That way, someone you trust can run the errand while you wait with your dog or vice versa.
- If you must stop somewhere where dogs aren't welcome, drop your dog off at home, where he or she will be safe and comfortable. Your animal companion's safety is well worth making a side trip.
- Never leave your dog in a parked car during the summer for any amount of time, even with the windows slightly open. The inside of a car can reach deadly temperatures in minutes.
"Dog theft and other dangers should be taken very seriously," says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "It only takes a second for a dog tied up outside a store—out of your sight—to be abducted. Please never leave your animal companions alone outside a store, restaurant, or anywhere else."