Dog Nearly Frozen in Erie Prompts PETA Video Starring Tom Hardy, Casey Affleck, Priyanka Chopra

For Immediate Release:
January 23, 2025

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

Following reports that a 10-month-old dog is lucky to be alive after being found nearly frozen to death in a driveway—and because daytime temperatures remain below freezing this week—PETA is bringing a star-studded PSA to Erie to urge people to keep dogs safe and warm indoors. Featuring voiceovers from actors Tom Hardy, Casey Affleck, and Priyanka Chopra,the poignant video includes footage taken by PETA’s fieldworkers that shows dogs suffering alone outside in extreme weather and ends with the Hollywood A-listers asking a question on behalf of all dogs kept chained or tethered outdoors: “If you were going to chain me up and leave me outside, why did you get me at all?”

The spot is airing on WICU/NBC and WSEE/CBS through January 29.

“Every day, PETA fieldworkers find dogs like this one struggling to survive subfreezing temperatures, who are chained outside 24/7, suffering from the detrimental impact of constant isolation and cruel confinement, and deprived of basic necessities like food, water, shelter, and veterinary care, says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA urges everyone to bring their dogs inside with the rest of the family where they belong and to report cruelty and neglect wherever they see it.”

PETA points out that dogs and cats are especially vulnerable in the winter, with multiple deaths, injuries, and near-miss rescues making headlines every year—and most incidents aren’t even reported. In addition to keeping animal companions indoors with their human families, PETA recommends keeping walks with dogs short in cold weather and having them wear a coat, secure harness, and booties to protect their sensitive paw pads from the frozen ground. Alert local law-enforcement authorities immediately to any dog kept chained or penned outside 24/7 or without adequate shelter from the elements. If officers don’t respond, call PETA at 757-622-PETA.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any 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 PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.