On April 22, 2004, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued a press release that began with this,
El Monte, Calif. — In recognition of World Week for Animals in Laboratories, PETA members, joined by barking canine companions and waving signs that read, “Iams: Stop Torturing Animals,” will hold a “snarl-in” in El Monte in an effort to persuade people to leave Iams pet food on store shelves until the company stops conducting tests on animals in laboratories. The protest is part of PETAÂ’s international campaign against Dayton, Ohio-based Iams, which was launched last summer after years of failed negotiations:
Date: Friday, April 23
Time: 12 noon
Place: House of Pets, 3836 N. Peck St., at Ramona intersection
There was just one slight problem — according to the owner of the House of Pets, her store has never carried Iams products.
Rather than admit that PETA made a mistake (like that doesn’t happen constantly), PETA spokeswoman Allison Ezell tried to spin the group’s protest when contacted by the Pasadena Star News. According to the Star News, Ezell told its reporter that “the snarl-in would be a positive event in support of the store.”
Sources:
PETA to unleash activists in protest. Jason Kosareff, Pasadena Star News, April 22, 2004.
PETA Holds “Snarl-In” In El Monte. Jason Kosareff, Pasadena Star News, April 22, 2004.