PETA attacks royal couple for breeding cocker pups

The Prince and Princess of Wales have faced criticism from animal rights group PETA after their cocker spaniel Orla had a litter of puppies. The controversy flared after a photo released for Prince William’s 43rd birthday showed him with the new pups.

PETA branded the royal couple “staggeringly out of touch” for breeding rather than adopting, accusing them of “churning out a litter” during what it called an ongoing animal homelessness crisis.

Supporters defend the Royals’ decision

However, many supporters rallied to the couple’s defence, dismissing PETA’s comments as unreasonable interference in a family’s private decision.

From a gundog perspective, the decision is in line with standard practice.

Ben Randall, field editor of Gundog Journal, told Shooting Times:

“It’s hardly a case of ‘churning out’ a litter. They are simply continuing the breedlines from a beloved and proven family line of gundogs. They are mating from great breedlines they know and trust, then having a puppy trained up ready for the shooting season and to become a family pet. I can’t see an issue with that whatsoever.”

Plans for the puppies

The family reportedly plans to keep one puppy, continuing their long-standing tradition of keeping working spaniels from the Princess’s brother James Middleton’s proven cocker bloodlines.

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