Jay Carney Raises Eyebrows by Making Light of Bestiality

PETA's Letter to the Press Secretary Comes After Urging the Secretary of Defense Not to Overturn Military Ban on Animal Abuse

For Immediate Release:
December 6, 2011

Contact: 
Kristin Richards 202-483-7382

Washington -- After a question about a recently approved adjustment to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)—which inadvertently removed an anti-bestiality provision—caught Press Secretary Jay Carney off guard and led him to wave the question aside with a joke, PETA sent a letter to Carney explaining that millions of Americans are upset that animals no longer have even minimal protections under the UCMJ. The group also asked him to handle serious issues with more sensitivity in the future. The letter comes a day after PETA reached out to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, urging him to add a new section to the UCMJ prohibiting cruelty to animals.

"Animal abuse is an issue of community safety that should be taken seriously by all government staff," says PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. "We hope that the public outcry against this inadvertent lapse will inspire the military to take action to make sure that it will be able to fully and appropriately serve and protect all Americans—human and nonhuman alike."

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

PETA's letter to Press Secretary Jay Carney follows.

December 6, 2011

Mr. Jay Carney
Press Secretary to the President
The White House

Dear Mr. Carney:

In watching last night's news briefing, we were upset to note that you flippantly addressed the recently approved repeal of the military ban on bestiality. With respect, this is no laughing matter. Our office has been flooded with calls from Americans who are upset that this ban has been repealed—and for good reason. As we outlined in the attached letter sent yesterday to the secretary of defense, animal abuse does not affect animals only—it is also a matter of public safety, as people who abuse animals very often go on to abuse human beings.

I hope that in the future, you will address important issues with sensitivity and not dismiss them with a joke.

Very truly yours,

Colleen O'Brien
Director of Communications