Mitt Romney dog incident
 | |
| Species | Canis lupus familiaris |
|---|---|
| Breed | Irish setter |
| Sex | Male |
| Nation from | United States |
| Occupation | Pet |
| Known for | 1983 incident (see text) |
| Owner | Mitt Romney Jane Romney |
Seamus was a pet dog owned by Mitt Romney and his family. Seamus, an Irish setter, was a subject of media attention for Mitt Romney in both the 2008 presidential election and the 2012 presidential election because of a 1983 family vacation where Romney transported Seamus on the roof of an automobile for twelve hours.[1][2]
Incident
In 1983, Romney and his family were preparing for their annual vacation to a family cottage in Beach O'Pines, Ontario. Seamus was enclosed in a carrier on the roof of the Romney family's station wagon. Sometime during the trip, the dog became afflicted with diarrhea, causing excrement to flow down the windows of the car. Romney stopped at a gas station to wash Seamus and the car, put Seamus back in his carrier, and continued the twelve-hour trip to Ontario.[3]
Political and legal response
The Massachusetts American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) stated that Romney's actions were probably illegal under Massachusetts law, but that the statute of limitations has passed. Ingrid Newkirk, the president of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has labeled the incident as animal cruelty and torture.[4] Three scientists who evaluated the scenario regarding the event noted possible problems; Seamus would possibly have had around ten pounds per square foot of air pressure pressing against his head during the trip. The windshield may have resulted in a little less than three pounds per square foot, but may have caused turbulent air flow around the sides of the crate. The veterinarian wife of one of the scientists said that she was more worried that the air flow could cause fatigue and dehydration of the eyes.[5] As against that, a dog riding inside the car would be exposed to hazards by virtue of not having a seat belt.[5]
During a 2012 interview with Chris Wallace of Fox News, Romney stated that Seamus enjoyed being in the dog carrier, an "air-tight kennel," and that he was not aware of any violations of Massachusetts law.[6] Ann Romney, Mitt Romney's wife, said that the news media had exaggerated the severity of the incident, and compared traveling in the roof-top dog carrier to riding a motorcycle or riding in the bed of a pickup truck.[7] According to Snopes.com, the incident has been "pointed to as an example of Romney's emotion-free crisis management style. Others viewed it differently, regarding the mode of canine transport the dog was subjected to as unnecessarily callous and cruel."[3]
During the 2012 U.S. Republican presidential primaries, candidate Newt Gingrich aired an anti-Romney attack ad that featured the story.[8][9] In order to contrast Barack Obama with Mitt Romney, David Axelrod, Obama's chief political consultant, tweeted a picture of Obama and his dog, Bo, in the presidential limousine, with the caption "How loving owners transport their dogs".[10] Mark Halperin, the senior political analyst for Time magazine and MSNBC, opined that "for a lot of voters" the incident was "a serious issue".[11] An entrepreneur selling "Dogs Against Romney" merchandise said that the incident had "struck a chord" because, unlike more important issues, it was "something that everyone can understand."[12] "Dogs Against Romney," the satirical movement inspired by Seamus, staged a protest at the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show[13]
Supplementary information
Seamus had the nickname 'Mr. Personality' because he was a social dog.[14] Seamus was later given to Mitt Romney's sister, Jane Romney of California, and the dog has since died.[15]
References
- ^ Jennifer Parker (June 28, 2007). "Romney Strapped Dog to Car Roof". ABC News.
- ^ Jeanne Moos (January 13, 2012). "Mitt Romney 'dog-on-the-roof' story appears in Newt Gingrich ad". KSDK News (St. Louis).
- ^ a b "Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney transported a dog atop his car". Snopes. January 21, 2008.
- ^ Ana Marie Cox (June 27, 2007). "Romney's cruel canine vacation". Time Magazine.
- ^ a b "Dog on roof? What was it like for Romney's pooch?". ABC News. June 29, 2007.
{{cite web}}: Text "author Blair Soden" ignored (help) - ^ "Dog politics: Mitt Romney, Seamus & the now infamous vacation". Zimbio. January 8, 2012.
- ^ "From Ann Romney". Mitt Romney - Road to the White House. June 30, 2007.
- ^ James Oliphant (January 12, 2012). "New anti-Romney ad by Gingrich goes to the dog". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Kasie Hunt (January 14, 2012). "Attacks on Romney getting personal". Associated Press.
- ^ Justin Sink (January 30, 2012). "Axelrod tweaks Romney over strapping dog to car roof". The Hill.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "Newt: Seamus story paints a 'picture' of Mitt". Time Magazine. January 15, 2012.
- ^ Jerry Kronenberg (January 17, 2012). "Canine support goes to the dogs". Boston Herald.
- ^ http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/14/story-from-romneys-past-prompts-protest-at-dog-show/
- ^ Kristina Chew (January 12, 2012). "The curious incident of Mitt's dog on the roof of his car". Care2.
- ^ Scott Helman (July 10, 2007). "Introducing Seamus Romney, 'Mr. Personality'". Boston Globe.
External links
- David Edwards (December 23, 2011). "Romney on Irish setter strapped to car roof: Love my dog". The Raw Story.
- Tommy Christopher (January 12, 2012). "Newt Gingrich attack ad dogs Mitt Romney over putting pooch On roof". Mediaite.
- "Mitt Romney and the dog on the car roof: one columnist's obsession". PolitiFact.com. September 8, 2011.
- Lara Marlowe (January 14, 2012). "Romney hounded by memory of Seamus the dog and 'Crate Gate'". Irish Times.
- "Saturday Night Live sketch". Mediaite (video clip: NBC). February 11, 2012. At 03:18 of video.
Jason Sudeikis [...satirizing Romney] switch[es] the focus to his adorable golden retriever Barrett, but it didn't go as planned, as Barrett will never forget what was done to him.
