Dachshund Derby Disregards Deadly Deformities; Strawberry Festival Is Asked to Spotlight Homeless Dogs Instead
For Immediate Release:
April 11, 2024
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
After learning that the upcoming Georgia Strawberry Festival plans to host another Weenie Dog Race—which promotes the breeding of dogs with unnaturally elongated spines and shortened legs that often cause them physical problems as they grow—PETA sent a letter today to festival CEO Tina Parsons asking her to replace the spectacle with an adoption event that features homeless dogs from local shelters.
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 up to a quarter of them suffer from painful intervertebral disc disease. The situation is so serious that Germany recently proposed a ban on breeding dachshunds—a national symbol in the country—and other dogs with “skeletal anomalies” that cause serious health problems, who are victims of what the legislation refers to as “torture breeding.” Breeding any dog also contributes to the companion animal overpopulation crisis, which sees around 70 million cats and dogs homeless in the U.S. at any given time.
“Dachshund races mislead attendees into thinking that these dogs’ deformities are something to celebrate, when in reality they can cause lifelong suffering,” says PETA Vice President of Evidence Analysis Daniel Paden. “PETA urges the Georgia Strawberry Festival to actually help dogs by putting the spotlight on homeless ones in need of loving families.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
PETA’s letter to Parsons follows.
April 11, 2024
Tina Parsons, CEO
Georgia Strawberry Festival
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to request that you replace the Weenie Dog Race at the Georgia Strawberry Festival with an adoption and socialization event for dogs and their guardians.
As you may know, dachshunds are intentionally bred to have a long spine and stubby legs, which causes 20% to 25% of them to suffer from intervertebral disc disease. Due to these painful deformities, Germany recently proposed banning “torture breeding” as part of its Animal Protection Act. 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 a collapsed spine. Solely to conform to an appearance some humans deem more desirable, the dogs are bred or even inbred to be malformed, and many suffer from chronic discomfort as a result. A Cornell University veterinarian recently noted that “the miniature dachshund is the most likely breed to have an intervertebral disc displacement and … multiple [individuals] com[e] in for surgery every week.”
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’ll 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, especially one whose breeding is so controversial that it has prompted proposed legislation overseas, creates 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. Please also consider that the event puts the dogs at higher risk of injury because of their short legs and long spines.
Might you instead consider making your traditional festival an opportunity to 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’ sake and thank you for your attention. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Elise Fisher
Evidence Analyst
Cruelty Investigations Department
PETA
