Erik Moe Art & Design

Apparently all of Edwardian England was in a kerfuffle for the better part of a decade (and rightfully so) over the (alleged) torture of a cute pooch by medical scientists. The memorial for the dog caused riots in the streets due to the provocative question on it’s plaque, “Men and women of England, how long shall these things be?”

The story is fascinating to me not only because animal rights seem more like a 21st Century issue, but also because of the role of the simple, symbolic artwork in the controversy. Admittedly, the intrigue of “Swedish women activists” infiltrating the medical school and the “pitched battles” between medical students and police assigned to protect the bronze dog add a certain level of incredulity.

Is there a lesson here for today’s animal rights advocates? If the sympathy of cuddly dogs is such a catalyst for change, perhaps activists should seize upon the popularity of Cute Overload to help their cause instead of photographing naked vegetarians over and over again. I mean — I like to think we vegetarians are good looking, but the approach always results in a troublesome mixed message and doesn’t really win the cause any allies. Best to stick with creatures that are easier to identify with.

Full entry: Brown Dog Affair (via Wikipedia’s usually more banal article of the day).

Tags: animal rights, Art, cute overload, dogs, edwardian, england, memorials, peta, sculpture, vegetarianism