In a new interview with PETA, Simon Cowell shares his always straight-forward opinion on animal issues. Were Sarah McLachlan’s "Angel" playing in the background as we read it, we probably would’ve cried. A few excerpts:
• On dogs being chained outside: "That’s disgraceful….That dog has put his trust in the person who’s chaining him. That dog would give up his life nine times out of 10 for the person who’s chaining him up….For a dog, under those circumstances, just to be left alone, starving to death, lonely and thirsty, is about as low as a person can go. You’ve got to have a really warped, disgusting personality to want to do something like that. That really disgusts me."
• On what makes him angriest about someone being cruel to animals: "I think the fact that they get an enjoyment out of it. I think the disrespect — a dog’s sole purpose in life is to guard you, and it’s your responsibility, and the dog will give up his life for you — would literally die for you — is unbelievable!…. Like Michael Vick. He should never, ever be publicly supported again. Ever. If people really knew the gory details of what he was doing….They think it was just a dogfight, but what do you do after the fights? The way they kill the maimed dogs…."
• On America’s First Dog: "I think we’ve got to be balanced on this….On a positive note, I think it’s nice that [the Obamas] have made an issue of buying a dog for the kids. What I think would be great would be if they also took in a shelter dog, just from anywhere, to balance it. I’ll even pay for the dog food!"
• On whether knowing someone is good with animals makes him more inclined to be kind to them after they perform on American Idol: "Well, funny enough, there’s normally something that connects me to them. Certainly with Carrie [Underwood], the second she walked in, I sensed a real kindness about her, and I think it’s part of her appeal. And to me, it just shows that you’re a nicer person….I’ll do more to encourage it. We’ll put it on the questionnaire!"
Visit PETA’s website for the full interview.
So who wants to hug Simon now? Who’s planning on bringing a mutt to their American Idol audition?
This is what being a celebrity should be about – using it to try and make positive changes in the world. Thank you Simon.
I adopted a formerly abused dog from a shelter, and she’s the best dog a person could have. People have a responsibility to help those who can’t help themselves.
I like Simon and how he always tells it straight. Now he’s giving it straight on a serious issue.
Good for him.
Though in all honesty, I love my dog, but she doesn’t guard me nor would she risk a THING for me. When danger comes, she runs and hides and leaves me on my own! I mean I realize that’s just MY dog, but it does seem strange to say that guarding us is a “dog’s sole purpose in life.”
Right on, Simon !! I have new respect and admiration for this man.
I’m all for getting a dog from a shelter, but I won’t be doing it because the hypocrite attention whores at PETA told me to.
Give me a break. People, Obama included, are entitled to get their dogs from reputable breeders. That way you have a better understanding and knowledge of what you’ll be getting. Let Simon donate some money to a shelter for food.
Peta is extreme. I wish celebs would get with and realize Peta is not good.
Is he going to pay for the ongoing allergy treatments for Obama’s daughter who is allergic and is the reason why they were searching for a specific breed of dog? Please Simon, donate food to a local shelter or a shelter system – just don’t donate it to PeTA since they figure animals are “better dead than fed”!
It wouldn’t have to cause allergic reactions. So many dogs at shelters are purebreds, including the type of dog the Obamas got.
Where does the “starving to death” comment come from? That’s a cheap way to slam people that he doesn’t even know.
Okay, I had a great, wonderful dog who had to be chained in my backyard whenever he was let outside. Why was he chained up? Because I lived near a busy street and my neighbor’s little brats constantly dug holes under the fence between our yards.
The chain was set up so that he could go anywhere in that yard, he had full bowls of food and water, and a house to stay in when it was too cold, rainy, or hot. And he was inside most of the time anyway.
So, Simon, sometimes when a person has a dog chained in their yard, it’s actually for the animals own safety.
Relax–I’m pretty sure he meant dogs that are chained up outside 24/7 (and all year long), not the ones who are out for a few hours a day.
I love when he gets all gooey over a little dog someone brings in with them to the Idol auditions. He cuddles and coos at the dog and pays absolutely no attention to the contestant! Very cute side to the usually caustic guy.
>>It wouldn’t have to cause allergic reactions. So many dogs at shelters are purebreds, including the type of dog the Obamas got.<<
Purebreds in the minds of ARightists that couldn't identify a purebred if it bit them in the arse! I have seen so many mis-identifications as to truly doubt the stats (which are low in the first place) regarding purebreds in shelters. The shelters I've visited are 95% mongrel (and mostly BBDs – Big Black Dogs).