Extremists slam our Steve

The Daily Telegraph ^ | September 14, 2006 | Nick Papps

[beaversmom]

ANIMAL rights extremists have called Steve Irwin a cheap reality star who exploited animals.

The comments have infuriated The Daily Telegraph readers who have been commenting below.

The blast comes just days after Germaine Greer said the Crocodile Hunter was an "embarrassment''.

Now pro-animal organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is now also dancing on Irwin's grave.

PETA activist Dan Matthews said he was not surprised he was killed by an animal.

"It comes as no shock at all that Steve Irwin should die provoking a dangerous animal,'' Mathews said.

"He made a career out of antagonising frightened wild animals, which is a very dangerous message to send to kids.

"If you compare him with a responsible conservationist like Jacques Cousteau, he looks like a cheap reality TV star.''

Matthew's comments have sparked outrage across the internet with Irwin supporters inundating blogs to defend the wildlife supporter.

But yesterday Matthews' comments were backed by PETA with spokeswomen Lisa Wothne who told The Daily Telegraph in Los Angeles that it was inevitable that Irwin would be killed by an animal.

"He liked to portray himself as for wildlife but the truth is he exploited animals for entertainment,'' Wothne said.

"The whole premise of his show was based on harassing wildlife. He felt nothing about invading animals' homes and taping their mouths shut.

"Steve Irwin had direct confrontation with animals all too often and Steve Irwin paid for it with his life.

"It was probably inevitable that Steve Irwin would pay for this with his life. No one should be surprised at how he died.''

Ms Wothne also said she hoped Australians would boycott Irwin's Australia Zoo and even urged Irwin's children, Bindi and Bob not to follow in their father's...

[beaversmom]

Most people remember the self-proclaimed wildlife warrior with great fondness. / The Daily Telegraph

PETA has a reputation for using shock tactics to make its point on animal rights. / The Daily Telegraph

Germaine Greer sparked controversy with sour comments about the late Steve Irwin. / The Daily Telegraph

[kinoxi]

"The whole premise of his show was based on harassing wildlife. He felt nothing about invading animals' homes and taping their mouths shut.

And?...
:)

[MarkeyD]

[verum ago]

Steve's just been buried; try to have some class

[Syco]

Not funny. Too soon dude.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Whatever. I wasn't particularly into Steve Irwin's gig, but the sort of animals he interacted with sure weren't into the touchy-feely-peacenik world view of the PETA-nuts. The notion of the fuzzy-minded vegan Peta-nuts purporting to voice the viewpoints of crocodiles and stingrays is too funny for words. The stingray "spoke" for itself quite effectively, I'd say.

[ccmay]

What nasty people. I really regret this guy's loss. He was a man among men and it's easy to see what lovely Terri saw in him. Of course he was a hyperactive squirrel, an overgrown eleven-year-old boy, an easy butt of jokes and parody-- but now that he's gone it's clear he was a real friend to animals and conservation.

-ccm

[LexBaird]

He felt nothing about invading animals' homes and taping their mouths shut.

I'm all for PETA spokespeople being treated in a like manner.

[DJ MacWoW]

"It comes as no shock at all that Steve Irwin should die provoking a dangerous animal,'' Mathews said.

This guy (as is most of PETA) is clueless. Stingrays are not classed as agressive/dangerous animals which has been posted here. PETA is using Irwins death for some free press time which is worse than anything Irwin could or would ever do.

He also didn't atagonise the stingray.

'Irwin didn't intimidate stingray'

Police have viewed video footage of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin's final moments and ruled out that he was intimidating or threatening the stingray that killed him.

[beaversmom]

Excellent!