How Many Dogs Will Be Abandoned After Westminster This Year?

When Banana Joe was announced as this year’s Westminster winner, his handler, Ernesto Lara, was given a silver bowl. But perhaps he should have been handed a silver shovel so that he could help bury all the dogs in animal shelters who lost their chance at a home, thanks to the greedy breeders and cruel puppy mill owners who supplied Westminster’s contestants and who will supply the countless “designer dogs” yet to be born because of shows like this one.

Outside Madison Square Garden, a costumed dog flanked by PETA members pointed out to attendees what purebred pimps really do: They flood the market with puppies even as 3 to 4 million dogs are being euthanized every year for lack of a good home.

Inside during the finals, two PETA members held up signs that read, “Adopt! Don’t Buy,” and “Breeders Kill Shelter Dogs’ Chances.” Security removed the duo promptly, but audience members couldn’t miss the message. 

And the death toll will climb. Following the show every year, breeders see a rush of people who want a carbon copy of the winning dog—and then animal shelters see a rush of people who abandon them when they turn out to be too much work or don’t act like the dog on TV.

In fact, Lara won’t even be keeping Banana Joe—he will be returning the dog to his breeder.

The results are in: Real winners adopt from animal shelters.