After learning that ArtsQuest\u2019s Oktoberfest plans to include dachshund races\u2014even as lawmakers in Germany consider a ban on breeding dachshunds, whose unnaturally elongated spines and shortened legs often cause them medical issues as they grow\u2014PETA sent a letter today to ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert asking her to replace the spectacle with an adoption event that features homeless dogs from local shelters.<\/p>\n
PETA points out that due to their intentionally bred deformities, dachshunds have a higher risk of developing lifelong spinal, knee, and other joint problems and that up to a quarter of them suffer from painful intervertebral disc disease. Germany\u2019s recently proposed ban includes dachshunds and other dogs with \u201cskeletal anomalies\u201d that cause severe health problems, who are victims of what the legislation refers to as \u201ctorture breeding.\u201d Breeding any dog also contributes to the companion animal overpopulation crisis, in which around 70 million cats and dogs are homeless in the U.S. at any given time.<\/p>\n
\u201cDachshund races mislead attendees into thinking that these dogs\u2019 deformities are something to cheer about, when in reality they can cause lifelong pain and suffering,\u201d says PETA Vice President of Evidence Analysis Daniel Paden. \u201cPETA urges ArtsQuest\u2019s Oktoberfest to actually help dogs by putting the spotlight on homeless ones in need of loving families.\u201d<\/p>\n
PETA\u2014whose motto reads, in part, that \u201canimals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way\u201d\u2014points out that\u00a0Every Animal Is Someone<\/a>\u00a0and offers free\u00a0Empathy Kits<\/a>\u00a0for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit\u00a0PETA.org<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0or follow the group on\u00a0X<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/strong><\/a>, or\u00a0Instagram<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n PETA\u2019s letter to Hilgert follows.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n May 15, 2024<\/p>\n Kassie Hilgert<\/p>\n President and CEO<\/p>\n ArtsQuest<\/p>\n Via e-mail:\u00a0info@artsquest.org<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Ms. Hilgert:<\/p>\n I hope this letter finds you well. I\u2019m writing\u00a0to request that you replace the dachshund races at Oktoberfest 2024 with an adoption and socialization event for dogs and their potential guardians.<\/p>\n As you may know, dachshunds are intentionally bred to have a long spine and stubby legs, which causes\u00a020% to 25%\u00a0<\/a>of them to suffer from\u00a0intervertebral disc disease<\/a>.\u00a0Due to these painful deformities, Germany recently proposed banning \u201c<\/strong>torture breeding<\/strong><\/a>\u201d as part of its Animal Protection Act.\u00a0<\/strong>The proposal focuses on banning the breeding of dogs with skeletal anomalies, including dachshunds, who have a higher risk of lifelong spinal, knee, and other joint problems, sometimes even leading to\u00a0a collapsed spine<\/a>.<\/a>\u00a0Solely to \u201cconform\u201d to an appearance some humans deem more desirable, the dogs are bred or even inbred to be malformed, and many experience chronic discomfort as a result. A Cornell University veterinarian\u00a0recently noted<\/a>\u00a0that \u201cthe miniature dachshund is the most likely breed to have an intervertebral disc displacement and \u2026 multiple [individuals] com[e] in for surgery every week.\u201d<\/p>\n We, of course, understand that the event is meant to be lighthearted and fun as well as designed to bring humans and dogs together. But we hope you\u2019ll consider that a race featuring these dogs not only promotes the breed but also misleads attendees into believing that their appearance and underlying ailments are something to be celebrated. An event featuring one breed\u2014especially one whose breeding is so controversial that it has prompted proposed legislation in the nation whose culture your festival celebrates\u2014creates demand, in this case for dogs who often suffer immensely throughout their lifetime and require costly medical care that their guardians may not be aware of or cannot afford. The deformities compromise their health, quality of life, and psychological welfare, and events like this one put the dogs at higher risk of injury because of their short legs and long spines.<\/p>\n Would you consider changing this event at Oktoberfest to instead offer homeless dogs from local animal shelters for adoption and give them a chance to socialize with one another and their potential guardians? Doing so would send a message of compassion and awareness. We appreciate your consideration for the dogs\u2019 sake and thank you for your attention. I can be reached at\u00a0EliseF@peta.org<\/a>. I look forward to hearing from you soon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n Elise Fisher<\/p>\n Evidence Analyst<\/p>\n Cruelty Investigations Department<\/p>\n PETA<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After learning that ArtsQuest\u2019s Oktoberfest plans to include dachshund races\u2014even as lawmakers in Germany consider a ban on breeding dachshunds, whose unnaturally elongated spines and shortened legs often cause them … Continue reading Dachshund Races Disregard Deadly Deformities; ArtsQuest\u2019s Oktoberfest Is Asked to Spotlight Homeless Dogs Instead<\/span>
\nSara Groves<\/p>\n