Text Assignment 1

PETA’s Chronological Timeline

v  The Silver Spring Monkeys case of 1981 – It was the first arrest and criminal conviction of an individual who choose to experiment on animals for animal cruelty. This was the first U.S. Supreme court win in the case of animals being inhumanely treated in laboratories. This was just the beginning…

v   University of Pennsylvania – PETA conducted an undercover investigation into the abuse of primates at the University of Pennsylvania’s head-injury laboratory. The result was a government fine and their funding was terminated.

v  Philadelphia contract testing laboratory – This undercover investigation broke open the abuse of animals through testing concerning companies. It led to Benettons permanent ban on animal tests. Leading industries such as Revlon, Gillete, and Estee Lauder announced a renouncement of the use of animals to test products on. PETA now produces a list of companies that do not test their products on animals.

v  Juice – PETA negotiated with multiple juice making companies to stop the funding of animal based experiments.

v  General Motors – A case was brought up against general motors for their use of animals in crash tests. PETA was victorious in the suit.

v  Carolina Biological Supply Company – Another undercover investigation was conducted which gave many photos and video footage of animals being wrongfully treated as experiments were conducted on them such as embalming, gas chambers, formaldehyde injections, and much more. Carolina Biological Supply Company was charged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture with infringements of the Animal Welfare Act.

v  Suarez Bros. Circus – PETA in collaboration with Martin Sheen, Ewan McGregor, U.S., Canadian, and German officials were able to grant the freedom of polar bears that were mistreated by the Suarez Bros. Circus.

v   Bobby Berosini – Is an entertainer in Las Vegas who was secretly videotaped beating orangutans with metal rods. The U.S. Department of the Interior revoked his captive bred wildlife permit never allowing him to keep animals again.

v  Wright State University – Was charged with 18 infringements against the Animal Welfare Act as a result of painful experiments conducted on rabbits and dogs.

v  American College of Surgeons – No longer uses animals for training rather they use simulations and are now encouraging the use of alternative means of training.

v  New York Factory Farm – An undercover investigation was conducted resulting in multiple videos and photographs or ducks being force fed viciously. As a result this was the first ever police raid on a U.S. factory farm. Also many restaurants and airlines discontinued the use of duck products.

v  Pig Breeding – Undercover investigations proved conclusive evidence against factory farms in Oklahoma and North Carolina in the abuse and maltreatment of pigs. This was the first felony indictment of farm workers.

v  The Fur Trade – Furriers were charged with cruelty to animals when video footage caught the abuse of chinchillas as clipping wires were attached to the animals’ genitals and electrocution was used to kill it and minks were forced to die painful deaths by being injected with weed killer. Both methods were denounced by the American Veterinary Medical Association stating that they caused pain and suffering. Neither farm uses these cruel methods anymore. 

v  Monkeys in Space – PETA was able to pressure the National Air and Space Administration from placing straitjacket monkey implanted with electrodes in space ships and blasting them into space.

v  Training School – In Florida an undercover investigation was conducted into the brutality of big cats being beaten with ax handles in an exotic animal training school. The USDA used this evidence to increase regulations concerning how animals are to be trained.

v  Boys Town Research Hospital – was caught in an undercover investigation cutting into multiple kittens’ heads and allowing starvation to study deafness. The National Institute of Health reported to soon after condemn their animal care program and the USDA found that they were in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

v  Putting the Cap on Oil – PETA worked with Texaco, Shell, Mobile, and other oil companies to cover the exhaust stacks on their refineries after providing evidence on how millions of bats and birds burn to death after getting trapped within them.

v  From Market to Meat – PETA after demonstrating some 400 times were given the backing of fast food restaurants such as McDonalds and Wendy’s and grocery stores such as Albertsons and Safeway to take on firmer guidelines for animals used in slaughter houses.

v  PETCO – A drawn out campaign was used to ensure that PETCO would take a plan of action for the animals within its care making the company to agree to no longer sell large birds and fulfill all the necessities for the small rodents within its stores.

v  The Future – PETA continues its hard work towards progressively ending animal cruelty.

 

 

            PETA stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. It is a nonprofit organization derived from Virginia but has colleagues in Germany, the United Kingdom, Asia-Pacific Region, the Netherlands, and India. It was founded in 1980 with the intent to take a stance for animals and their rights. They believe that animals are not ours to eat, experiment, wear, or use for self entertainment, rather they should be treated with kindness and care. Since their founding they have become very well known as the primary organization that has gone above and beyond all else in providing more opportunities for animals.

            Four events that I could say have been a significant impact on behalf of PETA would be the Silver Spring Monkey Case as it was the first arrest and criminal conviction for animal abuse, The Philadelphia contract testing laboratory victory over industries testing their products on animals, the New York factory farm leading to the first U.S. police raid on a factory farm, and pig breeding which led to the first felony indictment of farm workers. All were big steps towards positive progress for PETA, showing industries that they were a force to be reckoned with. The mass society theory can be integrated into PETA due to their as semblance of members. Although they have numerous amounts of individuals who follow the ideals of their organization, it is minimal in comparison to the corporate wall that stands before them. In light of this differential they run an effective controlled campaign designed around precisely hitting their intentional goals. They use what they know and utilize the judicial system as well as statutes of the Animal Welfare Act to their advantage. From a resource mobilization and political process theory point of view, they are very efficient.

            As previously stated they take what they know and utilize it in their favor. In order for this to truly work they in turn must present conclusive evidence for the courts in order to be granted justice against the alleged perpetrators. In order to do so, PETA conducts undercover investigations where multiple videos and photographs are taken, compiled, and filed to be used are evidence for their claim.

            When discussing cultural and emotional approaches I feel that perhaps the cultural aspect plays a minimal role while emotional is the foundation for the organization. It is through the strong wills of belief and understanding through education that fuel the individuals who work eagerly to relieve and expel animal cruelty. Without the element of desire and dedication it would probably just become a lost cause. I personally feel that all the above mentioned are essential and equally important for PETA to obtain their goal for animal welfare and wellbeing.