Causes.com
| 5.6.21

Animal Rights Groups Slam CA Gubernatorial Candidate for 'Horrific' Bear Stunt - What Do You Think?

Should animals be used for publicity stunts?

What's the story?

  • Republican businessman John Cox provoked an outcry from animal rights groups when he launched his campaign against California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) with a 1,000-pound bear.
  • “We’re going to need big, beastly changes to be made in the state,” Cox told supporters as the Kodiak bear, named Tag, sat behind an electrified wire.
  • Animal rights groups and state Sen. Ben Hueso - who authored a state law banning most animals in circuses - condemned Cox's use of a bear as a campaign prop.
  • "It's unfortunate and shameful that Tag the Kodiak bear has been exploited in this way. Bears need to be left alone, not confined to a pen on asphalt and wheeled out for events," PETA tweeted.
"PETA urges anyone with an ounce of decency to keep wild animals out of their publicity stunts."
  • Darren Minier, assistant director of animal care at the Oakland Zoo, also slammed the stunt, telling ABC 7 News “there’s nothing natural about this.”
“When people go to Tahoe or national parks and see a bear, we don’t want them taking selfies with them. It’s these types of publicity stunts that really erode people’s abilities to understand how to interact safely with these animals.”
  • Cox said Tag was bred in captivity and has appeared in movies and his campaign team "made sure that everything about this bear is taken care of in the utmost."
  • Minier said that while Tag may have experience in front of cameras, "this animal's life is not what a bear's life should be."
"This was no doubt a stunt, but I don't believe animals should be subjected to stunts. We believe that it is wrong for animals to be exploited in this way. It's not OK for the animal, it's not safe for the people and it's therefore not worth the airtime that it receives."

-Josh Herman

  • 22
    Donna
    06/01/2021

    I believe that animals are abused 99% of the time, that are used in publicity stunts, circuses' and roadside zoos. Wild Animals should be just that Wild.

  • 1,605
    Sandra
    05/18/2021

    Cruelty and obsessive gun use abound in this country at present.....just signed a petition to hold some bastard accountable for shooting a puppy ....then, shooting him 2 more times for the sake of "mercy" ....for snatching up his FREAKIN' golf ball...FFS. What is WRONG with people.

  • 77
    Claire
    05/12/2021

    This is not how a civilized country is allowed To treat animals

  • 171
    Hailey
    05/11/2021

    we need to leave animals tf alone

  • 304
    Kathy
    05/11/2021

    Wrong on so many counts! If he wants to make a good impression he has made it a circus instead of a campaign!

  • 304
    Kathy
    05/11/2021

    Wrong on so many counts! If he wants to make a good impression he has made it a circus instead of a campaign!

  • 3,455
    Surender
    05/10/2021

    We have gop doing all kinds of stunts ... just chain them let the animals free

  • 21
    Peter
    05/09/2021

    cox is a magacunt and can go fuck off...!!1

  • 108
    Kevinmshea
    05/10/2021

    As your #NY01 constituent, Kevin M. Shea, at 1489 Sound Avenue, Calverton, NY 11933, do not support some, not all wild animals be used for publicity stunts. It should be decided on a case by case basis on many factors.

  • 117
    Janet
    05/10/2021

    Using animals for stunts is unnecessary and useless. I would not be convinced by someone using an animal for any political or entertainment reason.

  • 192
    Kathleen
    05/10/2021

    PETA is another liberal organization that goes overboard and overreacts. They don't care how many babies are aborted each year , they just look for every stupid reason they can find to complain about alleged animal abuse. they was nothing wrong with using this bear to make his point.

  • 81
    Toni
    05/10/2021

    We need to just not " use " animals in inhumane ways

  • 84
    Teala
    05/09/2021

    Stop this nonsense leave the animals alone !

  • 21
    Beth
    05/08/2021

    I am for protecting wildlife and their rights, which I believe is the responsibility of every human being. As elected people to think seriously about the job we asked you to take on by representing the best of us and the best in us every day, is that what we are getting from you? And if so, tell me about it! And if you are answering to someone or something else for a reason yet unknown to us, please explain now. For, I am so disappointed and confused and have no help to offer unprotected, abused animals in circuses, roadside shows, rodeos, mass killings, big game hunting. This may seem like small potatoes to you. To me, we are erasing species altogether and have the ability to affect change. What are you not willing to risk?

  • 159
    Ray
    05/09/2021

    This guy is stupid.

  • 23
    Megan
    05/08/2021

    Wild animals should not be part of stunts or anything going against their natural behavior/environment.

  • 41.9k
    jimK
    05/06/2021

    ah yes. The GOP continues to woo its wacko base and disgust the rest of the planet. I am a little surprised that Donny Jr. was not present to pose with his trophy killing rifle with one leg standing on the dead bear which he 'bagged' with one shot - behind an electrified fence in a parking lot. ... ... Bye Bye GOP! Most of your members continue to succeed in their ongoing quest to attain complete irrelevance.

  • 103
    Brian
    05/08/2021

    There was an outcry over nothing... nothing happened, I personally wouldn’t have done that, but who cares what peta says, does anyone even take them seriously?

  • 21
    Therese
    05/07/2021

    Animals should never be exploited. Since we took over there land we need to care and protect them

  • 21
    Abby
    05/07/2021

    Animals should not be used for commercials