“SNL” actor Pete Davidson shared some harsh words with an executive from the animal rights organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) after being scolded for purchasing a new dog from a pet store rather than adopting one.
The 29-year-old comedian left an explicit voicemail on Monday for Daphna Nachminovitch, the senior vice president of PETA’s Cruelty Investigations Department, after she released a statement about Davidson shopping for a dog.
“Thank you so much for making comments publicly that I didn’t adopt a dog,” Davidson said in the recording, per a report from Fox News. “I just want to let you know I’m severely allergic to dogs, so I have to get a specific breed. I’m only not allergic to Cavapoos, and those type of dogs.”
“And my mom’s f***ing dog, who’s two years old, died a week prior, and we’re all so sad,” the actor continued. “So I had to get a specific dog. So why don’t you do your research before f***ing create[ing] news story for people because you’re a boring, tired c***. F*** you. And suck my d***.”
The Cavapoo is a mixed breed that combines the Cavalier King Charles spaniel and poodle. It’s known for being “hypoallergenic” and is supposedly non-irritating for dog owners with allergies.
Davidson’s friend had previously posted on social media that the actor’s dog, Henry, had died just ahead of the “Bupkis” premiere day on May 4. Davidson and his girlfriend, Chase Sui Wonders, were later photographed shopping for a new dog at the Citipups pet store in New York City.
This led to PETA releasing a statement: “It’s tragic that Pete didn’t seek out a borough-born mutt from a city animal shelter, because a scrappy New Yorker with charm, personality, and unconventional handsomeness could have been his perfect match. Since shelters in New York and across the country are overflowing with homeless animals, PETA urges Pete to show some big heart energy by adopting, not shopping, in the future.”
Davidson replied via his own statement to TMZ, saying that he initially sought to “adopt a specific hypoallergenic dog” and that he was told “it wasn’t an option, and if it was, it was rare.”
The “SNL” alum also said he was sorry for his harshly worded voicemail but explained how he spoke out of grief.
“I haven’t seen my mom and sister cry like that in over 20 years. I was trying to cheer up my family. I was already upset that the store had filmed me without my permission or acknowledgment. Then this organization (PETA) made a public example of us, making our grieving situation worse. I am upset. It was a poor choice of words. I shouldn’t have said what I said, but I am not sorry for standing up for myself and my family.”
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PETA responded, insisting that Davidson could have found the breed he wanted at a shelter and shouldn’t have visited a pet store.
“Our hearts go out to Pete and the rest of the Davidson family for the loss of their beloved dog, but there’s no excuse for promoting the puppy mill industry by buying a dog from a pet store when millions of wonderful dogs await loving homes in animal shelters. Anyone set on finding a dog of a specific breed can go to shelters, where an estimated 25% of dogs are ‘purebreds,’ check with adoption groups, or search Petfinder online,” PETA wrote.
“Citipups, the store where Pete purchased his dog, has come under fire for allegedly selling sick puppies who have died prematurely. We know Pete cares about animals and was trying to do a nice thing for his family, but he has millions of impressionable fans and his choices matter—so the next time he’s ready to welcome an animal into the family, we hope he makes the compassionate choice to adopt, not buy.”