People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the leading animal rights activist group, has officially joined a coalition which seems to stand for the opposite of everything the animal loving organization has stood for since its inception. PETA has reportedly become a member of an Anti-pit bull Coalition. This group seeks to have a ban on pit bulls, of all species, that extends throughout the entire United States, an act which would inevitably lead to pit bulls having to be locked up and then eventually euthanized.

In 2009, PETA put out a post on their website about their position on pit bulls, and in it they mentioned their unequivocal support and love for pit bulls. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were also quick to mention how pit bulls across the country are often villainized and the dogs were often singled out by legislators because of involvement in attacks on humans and other dogs. The article went on to give the stories of several pit bulls that were abused and rescued. The organization maintained that pit bulls were often victims of abuse themselves and that PETA sought to protect them.

The alliance between the organizations is all the more strange because of these vastly differing views, especially since in theory, they should have very different goals. The anti-pit bull groups have made no secret of their belief that these animals should be killed for the protection of society and in their piece about the partnership Zombies and Dogs gives several examples of the leaders of some of the multiple organizations that make up the anti-pit bull coalition, posting to their Facebook pages about their own actions against the breeds.

@peta I wanted to go straight to the source...is there any truth to this article or is this information skewed? http://t.co/aA3td4Ftn3 — Gabrielle Delicati (@RavDelicati) October 17, 2015

The Anti-pit bull Coalition has clearly outlined their agenda and belief that pit bulls are a danger to all aspects of human life. They are seeking to eradicate multiple breeds of dogs, they believe that society would be safer without any and all pit bulls. The site Dogsbite.org has several different categories that the group has labelled reasons that pit bulls are dangerous to all. The categories are varied and extensive, they range from the belief that pit bulls are dangerous to humans, families, communities and even extend to stating they are shelter issues. The organization gives alarming figures about pit bull attacks under every one of their categories, and their belief is that no kill shelters that have formed in an attempt to rescue these breeds and give them a fighting chance is a waste of tax payers dollars.

PETA has stated that their reason for joining forces is to help pit bulls but very little evidence has been provided as to how the ethical group sees this alliance as helpful. While it is understandable that PETA is against the breeding off pit bulls, since breed specific legislation is in order to protect pit bulls from being born simply to commit acts of violence. Furthermore, they believe adoption for animals from shelters is the best route, it is unclear how the anti-pit bull coalition what benefits will be provided for these often abused, stigmatized and abandoned breed.

Huffington Post stated that PETA spoke to them, through spokesperson Colleen O’Brien, by email and did advise that they will be assembling an educational video meant to give insight into their decision. However in the interim many will simply be left to wonder as the animal rights organization will apparently not have this video ready for weeks to come. The article then went on to show a multitude of cute pitbulls as they enjoyed life with their families and friends.

It is very doubtful, however, that even if it is released, any video will help the public at large to understand why PETA, a group which fights for animal rights has joined an anti-pit bull coalition that believes pit bulls should be eradicated.

[Photo Courtesy of AFP/ Getty Images]