PETA to Denver’s Cinco de Mayo Festival: Cancel the Chihuahuas, Race Robo-Dogs Instead!

For Immediate Release:
April 24, 2026

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

Ahead of the Cinco de Mayo Chihuahua Races in Civic Center Park on May 2, PETA has sent a letter to the event organizer today with a fur-ward-thinking proposition—cancel the Chihuahua races, and PETA will help Denver launch a new event with interactive racing robo-dogs instead, along with delicious vegan tacos for attendees to enjoy.

PETA points out that while cheering fans and blaring music may appeal to willing participants like marathon runners, they can be overwhelming and frightening to dogs, whose stress can go unnoticed by even the most caring people. The event could also worsen the animal‑homelessness crisis—already leaving local shelters bursting at the seams—by encouraging Denverites to breed or buy Chihuahuas, even though they’re already among the most common breeds waiting for adoption in U.S. shelters.

“From mariachi bands to folklórico dancers, Denver’s Cinco de Mayo festival already has plenty of exciting events that don’t involve forcing frightened dogs into a race they never signed up for,” says PETA Special Projects Manager and Chihuahua guardian Amy Bousquet. “PETA urges festival organizers to accept its offer for a paws-itively crowd-pleasing robo-dog race and let the Chihuahuas relax at home in peace.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to NEWSED Community Development Corporation President and CEO Andrea Barela follows.

April 24, 2026

Andrea Barela

President and CEO

NEWSED Community Development Corporation

Dear Ms. Barela:

I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 10.4 million members and supporters globally, including more than 108,000 in Colorado—ahead of the Cinco de Mayo Denver Chihuahua Races with a suggestion: Please cancel the dog races. If you agree, we’ll help you launch a new event by providing interactive robot dogs to race instead and delicious vegan tacos for attendees to enjoy. Allow me to elaborate.

While cheering fans and blaring music may appeal to willing participants like marathon runners, they can be overwhelming and frightening to dogs, whose stress can go unnoticed by even the most caring people. Chihuahuas have been found to be genetically predisposed to fear strangers and other dogs, often displaying anxiety and reactivity. My Chihuahua mix, Jacques, would be quietly scared to death if he were brought to such an event full of unfamiliar dogs and humans.

Another cause for concern is that this event may contribute to the homelessness crisis that has local shelters overflowing and unable to accept more unwanted dogs, because it can encourage folks to breed and buy Chihuahuas, who are already among the top five breeds most commonly available for adoption in U.S. shelters. Chihuahuas are prone to health issues like bone fractures, luxating patellas, heart disease, and overcrowded teeth (which often leads to periodontal disease). Every time someone purchases a Chihuahua from a breeder or pet shop, they’re supporting an industry that profits from dogs’ pain. And for every puppy churned out by a breeder, a shelter animal awaiting adoption loses his or her chance at finding a new home. The Denver Animal Shelter reported an unprecedented number of companion animals given up by their guardians last year, and in 2024 it was reported that euthanasia rates at Colorado shelters were up by double digits. Many more homeless animals fight for survival on the streets, where they’re vulnerable to starvation, predation, disease, and injury.

Racing dogs for human fun also perpetuates the speciesist idea that dogs exist simply for our entertainment. Human race events of all types are the way to go. We hope you will celebrate dogs by canceling the dog races in favor of robot races or other dog-friendly activities that promote shelter adoptions. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Amy Bousquet

Special Projects Manager