Game of Thrones actor, Peter Dinklage, is warning people off buying huskies, as the number of abandoned huskies showing up in U.K. animal shelters as gone by about 700%, according to PETA UK.
Peter Dinklage is asking #GameOfThrones fans: stop abandoning husky puppies. https://t.co/lNzg75ilYE pic.twitter.com/sS3WbZO0AG
— The Dodo (@dodo) August 18, 2017
Premiering in 2011, the HBO series has gained more viewers each year, with season six averaging 25.1 million viewers, according to HBO.
In the series, members of the Stark family find an abandoned litter of puppies and take them home. The breed is known as the dire wolf.
But, honesty Where is Ghost? #direwolf #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/g9snRsb4ya
— Katie Bryant (@katiesbryant) August 14, 2017
The dire wolf is an extinct species that is said to have roamed North and South America many years ago, with the last remains spotted about 10,000 years ago.
The dire wolf's size matches that of a gray wolf and its known as having the strongest teeth of any Canis species.
Still, the various mixes of husky breeds are a close enough resemblance to tempt fans to have one of their own.
Blue eyes are my weakness š pic.twitter.com/QktqyV2519
— Huskies (@HuskyBible) August 12, 2017
Dinklage, who plays Tyrion Lannister, wrote a statement released by PETA that fans should stop bringing huskies home.
"We understand that due to the direwolves huge popularity, many folks are going out and buying huskies," stated Dinklage. "Not only does this hurt all the wonderful homeless dogs waiting for a chance at a good home in shelters, but shelters are reporting that huskies are being abandoned as often happens when dogs are bought on impulse, without understanding the dog's needs."
Peter Dinklage wants #GameofThrones fans to STOP buying huskies. #GoT https://t.co/F81d3czX2S pic.twitter.com/h6OkGfmKDJ
— PETA (@peta) August 15, 2017
"Please, please: if you're going to bring a dog into your family, make sure you're prepared for such a tremendous responsibility and remember to always, ALWAYS, adopt from a shelter," stated Dinklage.
However, it seems that the trend has not skipped across the pond and made it to B.C.
According to the BC SPCA, there hasn't been an increase in abandoned huskies arriving at shelters over the past few years.
The BC SPCA told KelownaNow that huskies make up 10% of the shelters' intake and that number has not increased in B.C.
