Animal rights group PETA has sued the American Kennel Club over breed standards it calls “intentionally deformed,” claiming the AKC set the table for entire breeds of dogs to live in constant pain.
PETA filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Manhattan Supreme Court. Much of the suit focuses on French bulldogs, the most popular breed in the U.S. for the past three years.
The AKC denies encouraging people to breed dogs for miserable lives. In a statement in response to the lawsuit, the club said it “categorically [rejects] PETA’s mischaracterizations of specific breed standards and their assertion that these standards create unhealthy dogs.”
In addition to Frenchies, PETA also names pugs, English bulldogs, dachshunds and shar-peis as “intentionally deformed” breeds. The group says that specific features considered desirable in these dogs actually lead to short, painful lives for the animals themselves.
“Breed standards, used to judge ‘purebred’ dogs at Westminster and other dog shows, are designed to increase demand for dogs rather than promote healthy ones,” PETA said in a statement.
Though French bulldogs are extremely popular — puppies can cost as much as $6,000 — they’re also known for having shorter lifespans than other dogs. Their flat facial features can make it more difficult for the animals to breathe, and their large heads mean nearly all pups are born via C-section.
PETA has clashed with the AKC in the past and is well-known for its flamboyant protest actions, but the debate about Frenchies has already led to changes overseas. Britain’s top veterinary association, for example, campaigns against ads featuring Frenchies and similar looking breeds.
With News Wire Services
