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Critics Speak Out Against PETA's "Your Daddy Kills Animals" Campaign |
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Written by D.L. McCracken
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Monday, 28 November 2005 |
 People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), after launching their latest campaign directed specifically toward children, finds itself yet again in a defensive position against criticism from those who believe that the graphically illustrated pamphlet is damaging to children being raised by a parent who enjoys the leisure activity of fishing.
"Your Daddy Kills Animals" is a leaflet presented in comic book form which strongly suggests that those who murder fish by hooking them at the end of a rod are homicidal maniacs and may target the family cat or dog next.
PETA insists that the brochure is directed toward children 13 years of age and older but the language presentation in the pamphlet is obviously written for a much younger audience.
An analolgy is presented at the beginning of the pamphlet which reads, "Imagine that a man dangles a piece of candy in front of you. ... As you grab the candy, a huge metal hook stabs through your hand and you’re ripped off the ground. You fight to get away, but it doesn’t do any good... That would be an awful trick to play on someone, wouldn’t it?”
At that point, the pamphlet presents facts about fish, for instance fish can feel pain, are smart, have the ability to learn and even use tools. The page ends with a dire warning about all the killer daddies out there: "Until your daddy learns that it’s not “fun” to kill, keep your doggies and kitties away from him. He’s so hooked on killing defenseless animals that they could be next!"
Critics of this latest campaign say that children who have access to this type of print activism will be traumatized and will develop long-term psychological damage after reading that their father is "hooked on killing" not only fish but possibly the family pet. PETA vegan campaign coordinator Bruce Friedrich disagrees however and insists that children no longer require the sheltering that they have been receiving, "They can certainly find stuff that is more in your face on the Internet, more in your face on Saturday morning cartoons. We don't need to shelter our kids quite that much." |
