Yahoo News Peter Dinklage hits out at Game of Thrones fans
Peter Dinklage has hit out at Game of Thrones fans buying huskies because they look like 'Direwolves', then dumping them, after news that a record number of them are being abandoned.
According to Blue Cross, since 2011 (when Game of Thrones first aired) animal shelters in the UK have seen a 700 percent rise in the number of abandoned huskies and other "wolf-like" dogs – and they expect the figure to increase again now that the new season has begun.
"Numbers of abandoned and unwanted wolflike dogs, including huskies and malamutes, ending up at Blue Cross have been steadily rising over the past few years," said a spokesman for the charity.
"Part of the reason for the rise is down to people being drawn in by their striking looks – having spotted them on shows such as Game of Thrones – and making snap decisions to take on dogs such as Siberian huskies and Alaskan malamutes without thinking about how their lifestyle fits in with the breeds' needs.
"Huskies can pull sleds across hundreds of miles of icy terrain. They are not happy with simply slobbing in front of the telly after a 10-minute plod round the block."
Now Peter Dinklage, who plays Tyrion Lannister in the HBO hit series, has teamed up with PETA to urge GoT fans to stop buying "on impulse".
In a statement, the actor said: "Please, to all of Game of Thrones' many wonderful fans, we understand that due to the direwolves' huge popularity, many folks are going out and buying huskies.
"Not only does this hurt all the deserving homeless dogs waiting for a chance at a good home in shelters, but shelters are also reporting that many of these huskies are being abandoned – as often happens when dogs are bought on impulse, without understanding their needs.
"Please, please, if you're going to bring a dog into your family, make sure that you're prepared for such a tremendous responsibility and remember to always, always, adopt from a shelter."
PETA say this isn't the first time popular culture has caused an influx of abandoned dog breeds, saying that Men in Black, Legally Blonde and 101 Dalmatians have all caused similar patterns in the past.
Game of Thrones continues on Sunday (August 20) on HBO in the US, simulcast in the early hours of Monday morning (August 21) on Sky Atlantic in the UK.
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