AOC blasted by PETA for buying purebred French bulldog instead of setting example by adopting a rescue pup
Freshman Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was criticized by animal rights organization PETA on Thursday for setting a bad example for future pet owners. According to PETA, the New York Democrat could have easily inspired her millions of social media followers by adopting a rescue pup from a shelter, but the congresswoman chose to take home a purebred French bulldog instead.
“AOC had a chance to set a compassionate, responsible example in the face of the homeless-animal crisis, but instead, she apparently inadvertently contributed to the problem,” PETA President Ingrid Newkirk wrote in an open letter. “PETA is urging her supporters not to follow her lead in this case and to stick up for the underdog by choosing to give a lovable mutt a new lease on life.”
The member of the notorious "Squad" introduced the pooch on Instagram earlier this week.
“He doesn’t have a name yet!” Ocasio-Cortez revealed in one post, asking for name suggestions. “We are thinking something Star Trek-related or Bronx/Queens/NYC/social good related.”
While Ocasio-Cortez's followers fawned over the Frenchie's cuteness, Newkirk was not pleased in the least.
“French bulldogs are inbred in order to produce 'breed-specific traits' which cause health problems that many people who will be influenced by your purchase won’t be able to afford to address,” her letter continued.
“With the millions of homeless dogs out there, you apparently chose to buy a purebred puppy instead of adopting one from an animal shelter. Right this minute, on Petfinder alone, there are more than 110,000 dogs – including French bulldogs – who need homes. Animal shelters are bursting at the seams with hundreds of thousands more, many of whom will be 'put to sleep' for lack of a home."
Newkirk went on to urge the young Democrat leader to visit any NYC Animal Care & Control center and adopt a shelter dog to give her new French Bull Dog a companion, especially when she is away on business.
Furthermore, PETA announced it was sending her a copy of the book “Dogs Hate Crates” to explain “why crate training is not humane or effective.”
“We’re asking that you please be a part of the solution to ending the cat- and dog-overpopulation crisis and consider setting the right example for your millions of followers by adopting a mutt and encouraging them to do the same,” Newkirk concluded.