The story of all the slaughtered exotic animals in Ohio makes me incredibly sad, especially after seeing the photo of the poor creatures laid out dead on the grass. You wonder if authorities could have handled it more humanely and if the lives of those endangered animals could have been saved. It’s no one’s fault except for the awful man who collected them and set them free, and police were just trying to make sure that no one was harmed. I wonder if they could have done it differently and asked for large animal veterinarians to help before they shot them dead, but it’s hard to judge from the outside. The Human Society has issued a statement that they “do not fault [authorities] for using lethal force” in that case. This article on CNN explains how tranquilizer darts don’t work as effectively or quickly as we might think, and can actually agitate animals and make them more dangerous. Cops may have legitimately feared for their lives and the lives of nearby citizens and may have had no other way to defend themselves than to put the animals down.
A lot of people are saying that no one should have been permitted to privately own that many exotic animals at once, or really at all. I guess they’re relatively simple to obtain at auction and there are no regulations against ownership of wild animals in Ohio. Never one to pass up an opportunity for publicity, rabid animal rights group PETA is asking the upcoming Cameron Crowe film, We Bought a Zoo, to include a warning against ownership of exotic pets in its promotional materials and on screen during the credits. We Bought a Zoo is out on December 23, 2011 and stars Matt Damon and Scarlet Johansson.
Based on Benjamin Mee’s memoir, the film stars Damon as a father who moves his family to the countryside to help save a struggling zoo. Johansson plays a keeper at the animal park, which is home to an assortment of lions, tigers, zebras and bears, among other creatures.
PETA says it has sent a letter to Zoo director Cameron Crowe urging him to include a warning at the end of the movie about the dangers of owning wild animals.
“We Bought a Zoo conveys the misleading and downright dangerous message that no special knowledge—just a lot of heart—is needed to run a zoo,” PETA’s Lisa Lange said in a statement.
“As the tragedy in Ohio gruesomely illustrates, wild animals aren’t Disney characters. They have very special needs that all too often aren’t met by people who buy them on a whim because they think it would be cool to own a tiger.”
PETA has asked Crowe to also insist that 20th Century Fox, the studio behind the film, include warnings on all marketing materials, including movie posters.
There are up to 15,000 captive big cats in the U.S., mostly privately owned, according to the animal rights group.
A rep for Fox did not immediately comment.
[From E! Online]
I hate that I’m defending PETA here, but it’s actually a reasonable request and they’re not mocking anyone or sounding especially rude in the letter they’ve sent to Crowe. (That we can tell.) It’s not like they’re calling for a boycott of the film, or the movie to be pulled or anything. Compared to some of the crap they usually pull, this is pretty “tame.” It’s also quite clever, for PETA, in that they’re using a recent event to raise awareness and sympathy without alienating people by condemning anyone. I’m sure they’ll do something next week that’s just as outrageous as we’ve come to expect from them, though.
Here’s the trailer for We Bought a Zoo. It looks really good and that child actress is adorable.
Loathe Peta. They’re the worst.
I really, really hate zoos. They make me so sad for the animals.
I usually think PETA is over the top ridiculous, ie. Animals & porn, but this request is legitimate.
PETA is awful, but this suggestion isn’t the worst idea. It’s up to Crowe however, as it’s his film.
I cannot stand zoos. We’ve got an “Exotic Cat Farm” in a town about 20 minutes away, and it’s just tigers and lions in big closed in fences. It’s really trashy looking. Now, they’ve taken in injured animals, nursed them back to health, etc., but it just looks depressing.
Anywho, I think PETA has a point. People are still putting baby tigers in their apartments, and being shocked when they grow up and attack. I think it’s a good idea, and I hope CC listens.
PETA does go overboard, but I am with them here. I loathe zoos. I hate seeing beautiful animals, such as the big cats in cages. They are meant to roam free and run, not pace in a 10 by 10 trap.
I am neither here nor there regarding PETA and their views (they are just annoying sometimes). However, I just don’t like seeing animals in captivity or being abused in any form or fashion.
Just wanted to defend PETA a little bit. I agree that sometimes they are over the top, but you can admit that they are one of the most effective animal protection groups out there, and people actually respond to their requests more often than others. Some companies/people fear PETA going after them, which is a sign that PETA is pretty good at what it does.
I wish at times PETA could be a little more tame, but they get the message out there. I especially like the message they are going for here.
@marta: petakillsanimals.com
Peta is by no means good or for animals. They are extremists. It’s not their advertising I hate, it’s their actions.
If you’re going to support an animal rights group, why not ASPCA or World Wildlife Fund?
I think it’s horrible that “large cats” are privately owned – like some guy here in NYC who was keeping a tiger in his apartment. These animals don’t belong in apartments – aren’t they endangered? I think PETA is a little wacked but I kind of agree with them regarding this, especially after what happened in Ohio. I’ll always be horrified at how humans treat animals. It’s very sad.
On this one I do get the concern. People are stupid. They see cute animals and never think the should not be pets. I wonder how many of us are living near dangerous animals and will never know until something terrible happens. In light of what just occurred last week it is clear that there are people that are idiots. This is just a movie, but I can so see some sap thinking OH we can do that too.
As I said.. PEOPLE ARE STUPID..
AND yes as irritating as PETA is. they have made things so much better for a lot of animals. And that has cause people to think a bit before abusing a bit..
NOW if we could get a group that passionate to do the same for children.
I don’t mind zoos, but I mean proper zoos – the kind that contribute to a species, have proper vets, etc, not these hickville zoos that house animals for crazy eccentrics.
This recent case, in my mind, just highlights the stupid laws that enable such people to buy exotic animals.
These types of private ‘zoos’ are not zoos.
They are hellholes for the animals concerned. It disgusts me to think that an entire state has no law to prevent this sort of thing (what moron politicians are running the show?), so this recent moron went ahead collecting animals, only to flip out one day, release them – to endanger others – for the authorities to have no choice but to kill them.
It’s been a long time since I’ve thought the usual adage of ‘Only in America’. But in this case, this is what it is, ‘only in America’. Most other countries outlaw private ownership of exotic animals as pets.
As for PETA they may have a point, but they are just taking advantage of a horrid situation to advertise their political rhetoric.
The tranqs wouldn’t have had time to take effect, the animals were in close proximity…one vet said he had tried but the animal charged him and an officer had to shoot.
So sad, and so deplorable. That story was one of the worst I’ve read in a while.
oh, and i think that if peta didnt use crazy and subversive and loony tacticts, many, many people might not be as aware or have a consistent reminder of how shittily we treat animals. For cosmetics, apparel, food, etc.
PETA, nor anyone else needs to remind people the danger of owning exotic pets. It’s a given, but people will do whatever they want, regardless of the warnings- Drugs, drunk driving, unprotected sex, having dangerous pets. It’s silly to think that people are so stupid that they cannot understand basic things and need to be reminded like they are 5. We all know what is dangerous and what isn’t. Some choose to ignore warnings, and that will never change.
And NO, PETA is not an effective animal rights group. The general feeling on PETA is not favorable. ASPCA, Humane Society, Best Friends and Tippi Hedren’s sanctuary and the WWF are what people should pay attention to. PATA turns people off.
surely the recent events-which went worldwide (not in the USA but it was a headline over here) makes the point enough? i know many people were horrified by what happened.
but then i think a lot of people would be shocked to find out how many animals peta put down while pretending to rehome them, to peta need to STFU!
This is a topic dear to my heart. I am an animal lover. I have 10 cats…yes, you read right. I have an elaborate “set-up” for them. I don’t let them run loose, but they can enjoy indoors and outdoors in a huge cage, which they love. All of them are “rescues.” Lives that would have ended miserably & painfully if not for my intervention.
I cried when I heard about the animals in Ohio. That was awful! And yes, that man obviously was insane. Humans can be extremely cruel and insensitive…and yes…stupid!
I’m kind of torn about the PETA comments. I think what they’re asking Cameron Crowe is extremely fair and “do-able.” I’ve heard good & bad things about them. I’m reserving comment until I’m better informed.
Regarding the tragedy in Ohio, I do think the lawmakers and law enforcement are also to blame. Teddy Thompson, or whatever his name was, should not have been allowed to have those animals in the first place, and law enforcement should have stepped in a long time ago and removed the animals from his “care.” It was a senseless tragedy that didn’t need to happen. How some animal abuser can come to own 14 Bengal tigers among many other rare and exotic animals is beyond me. Backyard animal preserves/sancutaries need to be outlawed in every state.
PETA is a subversive anti-human organization. But the suggestion is legitimate and well founded.
When even my vegan friends hate PETA, I know my thoughts on them are correct.
PETA is run by a bunch of angsty teens. If they want to help animals, why don’t they try NOT doing gimmicky ad campaigns, as well as pick their battles better. As I have mentioned before, I will never forget their “let’s start calling fish sea kittens… you wouldn’t want to eat a kitten would you” campaign.
I’m part of the other PETA if you can’t tell (people for the eating of tasty animals)
After watching the trailer, I would agree that a disclaimer of some sorts would be wise.
It makes it look so romantic to have a little girl wandering around a place [loosely] containing animals who are engineered by nature to kill smaller, weaker creatures. It’s not their fault, it’s what they were made to be. It’s fine to be idealistic, like a modern-day Doctor Dolittle or something, but the movie should acknowledge that it is a fantasy, not a reality inspiring adults to pursue such things in order to live full lives.
I agree with PETA on this one. Regardless of how you feel about PETA they are right on this issue.
The movie should have warnings or a bunch of stupid morons will go buying lions thinking it will be a cool pet.
Peta has a good point…for once. Although, after what has just happened, Cameron Crowe has probably already figured out on his own that a disclaimer is needed on his film, without Peta telling him what to do.
It’s about time they crack down on private ownership of exotic animals. There are plenty of wealthy people in this country who think it’s a status symbol to own an exotic pet, without thinking of the responsibility involved. Let’s not forget Michael Jackson had plenty of wild animal pets and people thought it was entertaining. Until he couldn’t afford them anymore and didn’t even bother to find good homes for most of them.
What sickens me the most is this Ohio man had to have known what would happen to all these animals once he let them out. What a sick bastard. May he rot in hell.
Every Cameron Crowe film should come with a disclaimer.
On PETA’s side for sure.
I get that PETA can be extremist, but with thousands of horrible things happening to animals every single minute of the say, you have got to go to an extreme length to cause an immediate reaction to them.
Also, as I always see people here mentioning “how PETA kills animals”, I must say you guys should blame not the organization, but the people really responsible for that, the owners who abandoned those animals. PETA rescues animals and put them for adoption, it is not their fault that a lot of people choose to support the horrible breeding industry than to adopt those little ones that need a home. At some point, the only thing left for the organization to do is to kill those ones who have not been adopted. I see it all the time in PetPardon: all the rescued animals have an “expiration” date, so it is extremely common postings such as “this beautiful dog dies in a day unless adopted”. Therefore, don’t blame these organizations for something somebody else did, just because they were not successful in their attempt to help.
When we concentrate on protecting human being the way we do animals then I’ll give PETA a pass. Until then I’ll take a barbequed Short Rib platter with mac and string beans, and extra napkins so my my baby mink doesn’t get destroyed.
@Victoria
There are many, many organizations that help children, women, old people, and other minority groups. And there are organizations that help animals. it is ridiculous to suggest that one problem cannot be supported unless another is 100% solved. there are different causes somebody can dedicate themselves to, and all of them are as important. I see comments like yours as an attempt to convince people not to try to make the difference. you are not obligated to be part of it, for sure, but you should respect, not undermine, other’s efforts, especially when these efforts are directed to accomplish selfless objectives.
Wow PETA and a reasonable request. Amazing. As for living in Ohio I can tell you we’re all upset over here over this shit. Alot of people here want stricter laws and maybe now with this incident they will prohibit ownership of these exotic “pets”.
I don’t know if it could have been done more humanely. I work at an animal hospital and anesthetics work very slowly or not at all on agitated animals. Still, maybe they could have been less quick to slaughter them and they shouldn’t have them out like that and allowed anyone to take pictures. The whole thing was handled badly.
Please what they’re not telling you is that in the movie he had vets and trainers that help run the zoo. He goes through all the steps that are needed to be taken. PETA is just riding on the coat tails like a little sibling who isn’t getting any attention.
Umm yikes … bad timing for this movie to be released … sucks to be the makers of this film. And yes PETA is annoying as hell, but they definitely have a point here. Given that in the preview, Matt Damon LITERALLY SPEAKS these words: “no special knowledge—just a lot of heart—is needed to run a zoo” … yeah. Bad timing. I’m sure the movie will at least somewhat show that it’s a lot harder than that to properly run a zoo … but they might want to change that trailer. Take that line out at least.
As for the tragedy in Ohio, the owner of the animals was an absolute scumbag and if I could bring him back to life, I would, just so that I could kill him all over again in a more torturous way. Because he deserves it. BUT … IMO, the majority of the blame for this situation goes to the state of Ohio for allowing any asshole with a pulse to own a wild animal. And for being FULLY AWARE (at least I know the local officials were aware) that this idiot Terry Thompson was completely unstable, ALREADY having been convicted of animal cruelty, and yet STILL allowing him to continue owning these animals. Makes me sick.
“Should” animals be free to roam the wild? Of course. Will a great majority of them die for whatever reason (human interaction, starvation, disease, etc)? You bet.
The primary objective of zoos these days is conservation and education. Hell, there are some species that would flat-out be extinct had zoos not stepped in and bred the few remaining pairs left (I am thinking of the California Condor, which I believe had been down to the double-digits before being bred in captivity). As long as they are properly run, give the animals stimulus and medical care and educate the public on what can be done to make sure we still have these animals in 100 years, what’s the harm?
Background on me, I worked in a zoo throughout high school (keeper’s assistant), think PETA is run by a bunch of drama queens, and haven’t eaten meat in 10 years because I can’t stand the thought of being the cause of something’s death. So where is THAT supposed to place me on the ideological scale?
If PETA and other animal advocacy organizations weren’t around this world would be a horribly bare and ignorant one. PETA uses extreme tactics to get their point across to a society that has become increasingly barbaric toward animals whether captive, domestic, or wild. Humans just don’t get it. Laws haven’t changed so people like that unstable guy in Ohio and thousands of others across the USA “own” animals they shouldn’t have any business owning so PETA has to be in our faces because if we don’t wake up we’re one sorry state of a society.
Animals continue to be brutally harmed and killed by us humans so in a way PETA is at war with such brutality to save some animals from extinction. There are only 1400 Bengal tigers in the entire freaking world and 18 died that day because someone was so mentally unstable he unlocked their cages–cages they should never have entered in the first place but were because Ohio has horrible animal protection laws as do many states in the USA plus pretty much across Canada and around the world.
Keep up the great work PETA and I got plenty of red paint to throw on those stupid exotic fur wearers.
@eternalcanadian: yes, I agree, animals are killed in a horrible way for stupid reasons. HOWEVER, if you want to support an animal rights org., might I recommend WWF or ASPCA? You know, ones that actually take themselves seriously?
The problem with PETA is their tactic. They try and bully people into their beliefs. Now, in your whole life experience, has bullying ever been a successful tactic to truly change someone’s perspective?
When one of those PETA people yells at me for wearing an old fur coat (that the animals would have been dead 50 times over by now), telling me I’m an awful person for wearing it; the last thing I think is “wow, they are totally right! I AM an awful person! I’m going to change my ways immediately”. NO. The first thing I think is ‘wow, you don’t know me at all… and just for that, for every animal you don’t eat I’m going to eat 3″.
FINALLY, sorry to burst your bubble, but you know what? Even if you are vegetarian/vegan, you know something? Animals eat veggie crops… and you know what farmers do? THEY KILL THE ANIMALS! unless you have a home garden that you live off of, you are a hypocrite.
@Decemberist15 I agree 100% PETA euthanize animals ever year. The go overboard about every thing. I’m a pet owner, meat eater etc. I don’t think I’m a bad person, my dog eat’s meat and so does many animals in the wild so wtf do I have to starve just to appease silly ass over dramatic animal lovers. I bet half of the people on here who are complaining at least own 1 pair of leather shoes or a leather coat. I’m done with this mickey mouse BS!One thing I abhor is hypocrites!
Peta, despite some of their extreme ads, has done a lot to help animals over the years. They actually get things done. Now for this movie, I would not buy a ticket. I personally believe that we should never spend money on things that supports the unethical treatment of animals. This movie absolutely does. Sure, no animals were harmed on the set but these “animal actors” in the movie industry are rented out from very cruel situations. Animals in movies come from these places that raise animals and train them just for movies. These places get in trouble ALL THE TIME for animal cruelty…that is, if they are caught. Exotic animals do not belong in cages, common sense. Cameron Crowe was made aware that these animals used in his movie were coming from a cruel background and he still wanted to use them. I refuse to support this movie.