With every interest group in America sorting out who to support in the presidential race, dogs — dog owners at least — are getting in on the act.
On Tuesday the group “Dogs Against Romney” will be protesting in front of the Westminster Kennel Club’s dog show to make sure that all the dog loving attendees are aware that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney “is mean to dogs.”
“This is about bringing more public attention to the fact that Mitt Romney did what many dog-owners and dog-lovers feel was abusive toward his dog, making it ride in a crate on the roof of his car and carrying his luggage inside,” Scott Crider, one of the human founders of Dogs Against Romney, told The Daily Caller.
“The dog show in New York is a major event for dog lovers and we are using this opportunity to try to educate them about the decision Mitt Romney made regarding the care of his pet,” said Crider.
In 1983 the Romney family and their dog took a 12-hour drive from Boston to Ontario. Unfortunately, there was not enough room in the station wagon for everything and the family’s Irish setter, Seamus, ended up strapped to the roof of the vehicle in his kennel.
In order to ensure that those attending the Westminster show are aware of Romney’s past dog faux pas, the participants (pooches and people) will picket in front of the show with signs like “I Ride Inside” and offer information about Romney and Seamus. (RELATED: Full coverage of Mitt Romney)
Organizer Paul Getsos told TheDC that the group is less concerned with politics and more concerned with the “character issue” associated with strapping one’s dog to the roof of a car.
In January former House Speaker Newt Gingrich ran a Web ad highlighting the nearly 30-year-old incident.