I feel so informed.

A condemnation by a hypocritical, radical organization like PETA makes me think Romney may be ok.

If Bush wants to fight the war on terrorism, start with the group that funds Coronado and ELF.

This is such a ridiculous story that I cannot even believe educated people are caring about this. PETA needs to find something substantial to do with their days if they are witch hunting events from 1983! They need to get off their high horse and stop purposefully picking fights with people they don't like for personal reasons.

It's too bad PETA doesn't stand for People for the Eating of Tasty Animals. Then I would be a member.
But seriously, if PETA is anti-Romney then I may just vote for him

The political system has gone to the Dog's, why not the news. They both play fetch in the end, one the ball and
the other what ever the big Co. throw out.

I'm very offended! How can we take PETA seriously if they get their horses high?

That's it.. my vote is now solid for Romney- and his dog.

Sounds like Mr. Romney has ticked off the right people! Good on ya, Mitt!!

“PETA was unhappy when I went quail hunting in Georgia, and they’re not happy that my dog likes fresh air.”

No, I believe they are unhappy that your putting an animals life at risk by strapping it to the roof of your car. Why doesn't he ride up there, I bet he'd feel awfully safe being secured by a couple bungie cords around a win-shielded box. If your dog like fresh air, crack a window.

I agree it doesn't have much to do about politics, but this is why there are animal protection agencies.

Some of the comments are foolish and tired, and lacking in thought.

Please think for a moment. Would you strap your dog on the top of a car roof (although it was a makeshift container), drive miles and still feel your dog had a good experience? If like Romney you said your dog enjoyed it (yeah?!?) than more power to you. I personally would NEVER do that with my dog. She rides IN the car with the rest of us. She is a part of our family not a 'thing' like luggage that is strapped to the roof of my car.

I am not with PETA. I wanted to state that just in case some of you want to be rude and crude.

Traveling with your dog on top of your car does seem cruel on the face of it, but it all depends on how he had the cage setup. My dogs love riding in the open air of a truck.
Is it really so hard to do a little more research before splashing attack headlines??

If you vote for Romney because PETA is upset with him (or for any other reason, for that matter), then I FEAR for this Country's continued existence. In fact, I'm going to start making plans to get as far away as possible.

DMW
First of all, this event is 25 years ago.

I suppose that all those dogs that ride in the back of pick up trucks in the wind are to be felt sorry for as well? Also, the dog wasn't strapped, it was the carrier the dog rode in. Please explain the big difference of this and riding in a carrier in a plane cargo hold or the back of a pick-up? The man built a wind barrier, the dog got to go on vacation and wasn't left at home. If you want to treat your dog equally to a human, that is your choice, but this dog doesn't sound like he suffered one bit. And if Romney's foes have to go this far back to find such feeble dirt, he may end up with my vote.

Dogs also like to ride in open trick beds, stand on open car windows, and sit on your lap while you're trying to drive. Does Romney also let children do whatever they want, whether it's safe or not? PETA's not always right, by any means, but they are about this.

Iam OK with the dog riding in a secured, custom made for comfort in regards to his dog, BUT….now I know he feels rodeo's in this day and age are not inhumane treatment of animales, I know I would not vote in in office and expect him to be a humane president. Too bad, he was looking like he might have gooten my Rep. vote.

Although I'm not a fan of PETA, in this case I must agree with them. Anyone who possessed an ounce of intelligence would know better than to transport their dog in a rooftop carrier. My dog would love to eat a chocolate bar, but I know it's a potential threat to his health. My dog enjoys licking his butt, but I try to discourage it.

If you don't know how to take proper care of your pets, then how are you going to take care of an entire country?

Heck, I wish I had thought of that. My dogs love riding in the back of the truck. They get 10 times the smells than when they're walking, but when I fill up the bed of truck with stuff, I have nowhere to put them. Thanks to PETA, I have a new idea to put them up on the roof so they can still get the smelling in. I could vote for a guy with new, innovative ideas like this.

Give me a break that was what in 1983? I guess
they have to dig deep to find dirt.

Whether or not Mr. Romney's placing his dog on top of his car is cruel or not his point of view on rodeos is misplaced. As for hunting, I suppose that he does not consider killing an animal cruel. Perhpas Mr. Romney would like to consider if the animal wanted to die.

I think that's terrible to strap his on top of his vehicle. I totally agree with PETA. Suppose that thing had suddenly come loose? That dog would be killed. Shame on Mr. Romney, and his family for allowing this to happen.

Back at that same time, when I was a kid, we never wore seat belts, never wore a bike helmet, we would sit on my dad's lap on long road trips and pretend to help drive the car or, sit in the front passenger seat with my mom and read. Back in the day, pets were treated like animals, not people. Times are different. This is such a non-story. How is this any different than the people who put their dogs in the back of their trucks. At least the dog was secured.

I've been laughing for twenty minutes now. Check out this quote:

"…but I know it’s a potential threat to his health. My dog enjoys licking his butt, but I try to discourage it.

If you don’t know how to take proper care of your pets, then how are you going to take care of an entire country?"

Q: So if Romney taught his dog to use toilet paper, would that make him fit to run the country?

While I'm not a fan of Mitt or PETA, it was over two decades ago and our awareness of animal safety was totally different. My very educated parents (who always seat-belted us kids in) used to let the dog ride in the back of the truck, while the dog we have now gets belted in like everyone else with a special harness. And dogs sometimes like ridiculous things and it's hard to convince them not to want them–it's easier to make it as safe and pratical as possible and go with the flow.

Seriously, strapping an animal to the top of a car is just careless and thoughless.

Romney is a good person and a great candidate.

I would gladly strap someone from PETA to the top of my car for a 5 hour trip.

Thank you, CNN, for reporting this and making us all dumber.

Who cares what Romney did with his dog…I just want to know what he's done as Governor of Mass. Is the state worse or better off with him being Governor?

I was a supporter of Romney and while I agree PETA pushes the limits more often than not. I disagree with allowing a dog to ride in the back of a pickup, accidents can and do happen. No one should strap any living creature (in a carrier or not) to the roof of a car. What if it fell off? Then his children (who were young at the time) would have had to see that? And for those of you who think simply because Romney and PETA clash you're going to vote for him, well I can blame the sad state of this country squarely at your feet, that's like voting for someone because he wears Armani suits. Completely ludicris.

There are soooo many important issues facing our nation. But, PETA people in their infinite wisdom want to argue about a politician's choices in 1983 for pet transport? I must admit, I would have never thought of his particular method of dog transport, but I find it nothing but amusing. Get a life Ingrid! People and animals do not have equal rights! Don't expect people to treat children and pets the same way. If you treat them the same, good for you, but the vast majority of humanity would disagree with your point of view. Give it a rest!

Read the rest of the story, folks. Romney says his dog enjoyed the 12 HOUR RIDE! But when he pulled into a gas station, he found the poor animal had urinated and defecated all over itself AND the top of thge station wagon. Oh yeah, he really enjoyed the ride. So what does the jerk do, clean the animal up and tuck him safe and sound with the kids? NO! The cruel, heartless, jerk hoses the dog and the car down and continues on with the trip. He's a coldhearted beast, who has no business owning an animal let alone watching out for the weakest among us.

Yeah, because people that hunt animals are certainly pro-life!

"Q: So if Romney taught his dog to use toilet paper, would that make him fit to run the country?"

Wow, Mr. Stewart, I'm glad you got such a hoot out of that. A man puts a dog up on his rooftop carrier, drives for 12 hours without stopping, not even when the dog defecates and it drips down the window.

Yeah, that always cracks me up.

Romney is a jerk.

SO WHAT
WE ARE ALL TREATED LIKE DOG'S ANY WAY
JUST THE ELETIST CONGRESS AND SENATE GET TAKEN CARE OF

Is this the same organization that was recently caught stuffing dead dogs in public trash cans??

PETA needs to get a grip and a life!!! They are wackos.

Who else was thinking of the dog in National Lampoon's Vacation when you were reading this article?

I've never been a supporter of PETA, but seriously, strapping your dog to the roof of your car?! Uh…yeah…

Sorry Mitt, I thought your were a possible contender, but with your obviously stupid decision making abilities, your going to do yourself in.

I'm not sure 24 year old conduct is relevant but… putting a dog on the roof is screwed up. I'm no PETA warrior or anything but that's out there, even for 1983. PETA should maybe find some more recent and relevant events to posture on and I hope Romney's views on animal care have matured.

So I guess since kids don't ride in the cargo section of planes then that is abuse also. And we don't leave kids home alone so leaving a dog alone at home is abuse under this theory also. This whole subject is ridiculous… I could see if he dragged it behind but that is not the case.

LOL! Remember the movie Vacation when Clark straps Sparky to the bumper and takes off? Oh, good times!!
I'm sure Mitt wouldn't have been too happy if he had to suddenly stop and the dog's carrier flew off. But, I guess we've had run out of things to say about these candidates if we are focusing on their dogs now huh?

Anyone that thoughtless and cruel to an animal does not deserve to be a parent, much less president.

Had to comment on this one!! With all the world in termoil if this is the biggest strike againest Romney then I say elect him now. PETA? Whatever!!

In all fairness, it was in 1983. That was when it was ok to ride in the back of a pickup truck too… We also played on metal playground equipment. OOOOH!! However, if he tried it nowadays, –that would be a problem…

Romney traveling with his dog on the roof for "fresh air" indicates intelligence on the dog's part. The ignorance of Romney probably encouraged the dog to seek other accommodations, no matter how dangerous!

Dogs are not people, they are not your children.

I loved my dog, and was heart stricken when he found a hole in the fence that we didn't know about and got out and hit by a car. My wife was traumatized, we felt horrible.

But it was our dog, not our child. If my child got out and hit by a car, you'd call for me to be arrested for child endangerment. We treat children differently than animals.

Ethical treatment of animals is NOT the same as pretending that they are people. Our unhealthy obsession with pets as a nation is a bit twisted. I miss my dog terribly, but he never occupied the same place as my heart as my child does.

Life involves choices, and favoring the children while treating the dog like a pet isn't a bad one.

"drives for 12 hours without stopping, not even when the dog defecates and it drips down the window"

There isn't a station wagon anywhere that can drive twelve hours without stopping. You're exaggerating the story, you weren't there. You don't know how many times they stopped or if the dog got out of the cage at stops, etc. All you have is a 25 year old recollection from a young kid, selective editing from a journalist and people willing to exaggerate the situation to serve their own agenda.

Moreover, I was laughing at the dog licking and stated so, you twisted that as well.

Romney is a good family man who tried to include a dog on a vacation with seven people and their luggage in a station wagon. And people foaming at the mouth over this incident say more about themselves than anyone else.

Perhaps, Romney's family treats the
dog this way, because the police and the animal protection laws allow it.
After all, each State has its own laws.
Just go into another State and find out.

So Ms Newkirk, are you saying that putting a lease on a dog is unacceptable because you wouldn't do that to a child?
How about letting them out to use the bathroom? What, Did you potty train your dog??

It has been proven for 100's of years that a dog will wag his tail & lick the hand that beats him…..he has no choice but to do as his master commands! Perhaps Romney should be given a ride atop a car going about 80mph & see how HE likes it!!!!

At least he didn't attach his dog's leash to the back bumper of the car like Chevy Chase did in National Lampoon's "Vacation".

This is ridiculous, I hate Romney with a passion but my doggies would love a roofdeck for my car. I might build one this weekend. And what is wrong with quail hunting? I am not a hunter but shooting it yourself is more ethical than having someone else do it for you. I hate PETA and I hate my wife, who is a PETA member. PETA could actually do good if they did not make a big stink out of non-issues like this one. I'm going to KFC today just to spite these people.

are the people who run PETA mentally handicapped? What is wrong with these idiots? To compare a family pet to a child is asinine and just shows how fanatical and out of touch with reality these animal rights people are. Why don't the lunatics at PETA use their time to really make a difference in the world instead of wasting it like they are. I dont think i'm in the minority when I say that the PETA people are really annoying and need to just relax and hush up.

This guy ought to be strapped to the roof of a car for a while while Fido drives and THEN he can tell us that what he did is OK. What a dismissive, condescending moron.

I would really like to strap his kids to the roof of the car and see how they like it… or even his wife. Who straps their dog to the roof of a car!! On many occasions I see people on the sides of the road after their valuables, and luggage toppled of their roof of the car. What would happen if that happened to his poor pooch? He probably wouldn't even stop.
Figures, another republican who has absolutely no respect for another living thing… people… animals… nobody. Perhaps if his dog were made of oil he'd let him join the family inside of his vehicle.

The fact that a small detail to a very lengthy and objective 7-part series of Romney in the Boston Globe made its own headline is laughable.

Obviously this guy dosn't treat his dog with the love and compassion of a true animal lover, Why don't we strap his behind to the roof of a car and take him for a ride. Remember dogs, cats and any pets are a living breathing thing and should be treated as such!

So it happened over 20 years ago, the point is that he is defending it NOW! He has no respect for life, which is obvious by his support for rodeos, quail hunting and the way he treated the family dog. A leader should be humane and not act like some barbarian!

I've read some of the comments regarding Romney's mode of transportation for his dog. I strongly disapprove of his method. While this is not earth-shattering news, the comments by some of you disturb me - how can you be so uncaring about the treatment of an animal that soley depends on its family for its well-being. When we take on the responsibility of having a pet, we also take on the responsibility of that animal's health and safety. I totally agree with the the idea that if your wouldn't strap your child to the roof of a car, you shouldn't strap your pet to the roof of the car. PETA may have some outrageous methods, but at least they're passionate about caring for those who cannot care for themselves.

Regardless of whether or not the family doog appeared to enjoy his rides on the top of the family car is not the issue. The issue is Mr. Romney's lack of sensable judgement. There are so many things that can and do go wrong that I would think he'd want a much loved pet within his view and protected from the unexpected road hazzards. Debris, insect stings and the launched rock can all have devistating consequences when there is no one to witness them and attend to those emergencies. As the species that is supposed to be intelligent we need to consider the total picture and assess the 'what if's' in making decisions for those who are in our care. In hind site Mr. Romney was fortunate and so was his dog that nothing happened. But explain to your children why their much loved pet is hurt or worse because of your thoughtless actions or are you one of those who is immune to acountability?

To EGS from Maryland!

Speak for yourself EGS! Perhaps you need to get a clue! I beg to differ with you, the VAST MAJORITY DO TREAT THEIR PETS THE SAME AS THEIR KIDS! Why you ask? Because pets ARE part of the family! Now go crawl back in the hole you came out of and STAY THERE!

I am horrified not only at this type of behavior, but also at his callous response, and inability to see the error of his ways.

This is cruelty to animals plain and simple. I truely hope, given this exposure it never happens again to that poor dog.

Not even Hillary would do that (and that is quite a low threshold of behavior).

He's out.

Guillermo - Omaha, NE

I'm no big fan of PETA, but I do care about this. Its not about whether or not the dog enjoyed riding on the roof of the car, its about whether allowing him to do so is safe and responsible behavior. I'm sure anything thinking person would agree with me that it was neither safe nor responsible.

PETA doesn't like you because you are inhumane…not because your dog "likes fresh air". So does my dog, but he rides IN THE CAR, not on top like luggage. If he likes the wind, open a window!

yes, animals are living things as well and should be reasonably cared for if they are adopted by a family, BUT THEY ARE NOT PEOPLE AND SHOULD NOT BE EQUATED TO HUMAN BEINGS, EVEN IMPLYING THAT IS DUMB!

What an idiot. His dog "enjoyed" it? I'm sure there are lots of children who also would enjoy riding on the top of a truck, that doesn't make it a good idea.

This is yet another example of PETA's misdirected causes. When will this organization start to research the facts before spouting off on something they know nothing about? The dog obviously enjoyed his perch and the ride. This is so trivial. Find something more important to needlessly whine about, PETA!

Why in the world would someone bring up this issue 24 years later. How ridiculous. Someone obviously needs to get a life. There are so many bigger issues in this world that that time and energy could be spent on.

I'm from Massachusetts and no fan of Romney's policies, but he is a decent person. This PETA is just a lobbying group trying to get some press. They should stick to stories about really cruel behavior. This level of complaint makes them look like a bunch of cranks.

By the way, in 1964 I saw the country from be back of an Impala wagon, which was steel lined. Times change, and what my parents did back then doesn't consititute child abouse today. It just doesn't, regardless of what some lobbying group says.

PETA has gotten "anal" over the years. Don't know who's running PETA but they certainly have their share of "fanatics"!!

Rommney…showing the same cocky, "I'm right, you are wrong" attitude of another Republican I can think of…yikes, verrrrry scary!

Mr. Rommney, did the dog have access to water, was the sun hot in the cage (you can call it a crate, it is still a cage… how many breaks did the doggie get — these are questions we do not know, and oh, did the animal have enought room to stand up and turn around, I sure hope so.

I thank goodness for organizations such as PETA for trying to raise the general mentality about the suffering of animals in this country and beyond. Shame on the people that make fun of those that at least try.

Pets are not something we are obligated to have.. like an unexptected child..simply do not get pets if you don't want to or don't know how to take care of them.. I think this is awful, and thank god his kids did not have to see their dog splattered all over the highway.. a man that would do something like this does not have an ounce of compassion for a living being.. and certainly we do not and could not live on this planet alone.. so if Romney can not even take care of a dog.. and by the way, defecating and urinating all over themselves is how animals manifest severe stress.. so the dog was not happy.. I feel bad for the dog.. as they are prisoners in our home, get out when we let them, eat what we feed them.. we at least owe them dignified, proper care.. or don't get them.. simple as that, noone is forcing you!!

People are simply using the dog excuse as a reason to justify not voting for Romney because of his Mormon faith…

As a child, I remember PETA ruining a concert for elementary kids in Dallas by passing out flyers with dead cats on them after they were skinned… lots of class in that group! But that doesn't mean this group is awful.. it's important, but some of the people in it jumped off the crazy train.

Now I think that what he did is unacceptable to do to any animal, but you can't sit there and tell me that he is the ONLY candidate that has a past you may question or dislike. What's important is how they respond and be honest… like this man did. I only look at the policies and how well they have done prior to determine who I vote for… imagine that concept

I don't know who I will end up voting for right now. But I do know that I'd vote for a man that strapped his dog carrier on the car before I would vote for a man or woman who supports ILLEGAL ALIENS and not the American citizens! PETA and all it's supporters are ridiculous!

I don't even like Mitt Romney, however, read on. What I find completely hilarious is we barely strapped in children to car seats in 1983. The fact that you have to go back to 1983 to dig something up on this guy…stretch it out and exaggerate it to a point I don't comprehend. An article like this makes me like him more because that's all they got? Please. I mean the dog is alive. I thought the dog died or something. I can't wait for the day we give cats and dogs voting rights but definitely not birds.

Support movement to prevent Romney from placing dogs on top of cars - order your dog T-shirt today - http://www.cafepress.com/johntirrell.146001530

Romney revels his idiocy every time he speaks. Romney doesn't realize that he doesn't need to go out and kill creatures since even Utah have grocery stores packed with slaughtered animals who end up in the trash. He's (Romney) just another Cheney with a different mask, Americans have had enough of the same OLD mentality.

I can't believe a mormon seriously could be considered for president. Especially someone with no common sense. Who puts a dog on the roof of their car? Who cares what PETA says, oh my god, what an idiot.

I'm sorry…who the hell straps their DOG to the roof of their car??? That's so weird and wrong. This guy is bizarro.

Ok, so the story is old, not about politics, and I'm not a fan of PETA. But drive your dog around in a carrier on the roof of your car, who the heck does that?

Whether 20 years ago or yesterday, strapping the dog to the roof of the car is WRONG and CRUEL. I'd like to strap Mr. Romney on the roof of the car for 12 hours and see how much fresh air he would enjoy. I will never vote for him and or anyone like him. I am disgusted with his actions and his family for allowing it to happen.

Honestly, this happened over 20years ago. If they have to go this far back in order to gather any dirt on Gov Romney I think that says a lot for him. I don't understand how you people that work with PETA or think like them can exist. You have the right to think as you may, but please use some logical reasoning. Someone said that "PETA helps those who can't help themselves." Statements such as this show your ignorance. So what did animals do before becoming domesticated? Were you there to protect their rights? Even now that they are domesticated they can run away and survive perfectly fine. THEY ARE ANIMALS NOT HUMANS. It doesn't take an ivy league education to figure that out.

While I do not always agree with PETA, in this case I am in PERFECT AGREEMENT with them! I have worked with Humane Societies in 4 states and I have owned dogs my whole 48 years on this earth. Many of my dogs have shown "quirky" behavior but just because they "seem" to enjoy some things does not mean that you let them do it. Especially if it could be harmful to them, and I think this is a "no brainer"!!! They are like children…we have to love and protect them! The Dachshund(Jean-Luc)that "owns" me now is treated just like a child. He owns my heart and I would NEVER allow him to engage in dangerous behavior! Thank you for publishing this article…I certainly know who NOT to trust!!! Cindy C.

Who cares that PETA is involved. This guy Mitt just sounds ludacris! Who would be so idiotic?

Seriously, don't we have more important things to be worrying about in this world than whether Mr. Romney transported his dog in a safe manner 24 years ago? I am sure even the family dog is laughing at the story all the way from doggie heaven….

Is that it?!?!? That's all they've got on him?!?!? Putting his dog in a carrier to ride on the top of his car TWENTY-FOUR years ago is something we need to worry about NOW?!?!? Come on, people! PETA must be coming pretty close to completely useless if they're using this as their latest soapbox!

If Romney is elected, Air Force One is going to look awfully silly with a dog carrier strapped to the roof.

In all seriousness, I'm a dog lover and all for protection and care for animals, so I don't think this is really a good idea. That being said, I think PETA stinks. The idea behind them might be good, but their antics over the years are insane. They are a terrible organization.

"I can’t believe a mormon seriously could be considered for president. Especially someone with no common sense. Who puts a dog on the roof of their car? Who cares what PETA says, oh my god, what an idiot."

Posted By Quinn, Washington, DC : June 29, 2007 2:13 pm

Wow, nice bigotry. I personally can't believe people like you believe in the constitution. Maybe you should go somewhere without freedom of religion. Please don't forget the many who fought and died, those who worked and sacrificed to build this country and allow us Relgious TOLERANCE. We are all entitled to believe as we may.

I don't know if I would ever vote for this guy, but a dog's a dog people. Anyone comparing them to people is just off their rocker. Also being slammed by a group that funds terrorism is probably a good thing for any American.

Non-issue; happened in 1983…I'm sure we have all done dumb things since then.

And what is this nonsense about him driving 12 hours without stopping to let the dog relieve himself? Come on people - you cant drive 12 hours straight on a tank of gas and anyone with a car full of kids can testify they need to stop every few hours for their own bio-breaks. Someone has an ax to grind and is blantantly trying to stir the pot needlessly. Think about it…

Fresh air is letting your dog out for a run. Not being strapped to a car and getting 50mph worth of it! As soon as Romney rides up there for twelve hours (ever though he's bigger and it would be easier and less cruel for him), then we will believe him about the fresh air. My message to Romney- take the ride yourself or deal with the consequences for such a bad, inconsiderate, cruel, and irresponsible decision. Do we really want someone who cannot even treat a dog well to be responsible for the treatment of millions of people and leading the United States and the vast amount of others the US President affects?

I say: If you can't handle caring for a dog you can't handle caring for the country.

Ignore the fact that this is PETA making the statement — we all know that their whackjobs. The fact is, Romney strapped the dog to the top of his car, stated "We're going 12 hours straight with no stops!" and then left the frightened dog up there until it shat itself and poop ran down the back of the car. He then hoses the dog off, and leaves him on the top of the car, to continue to be frightened. Sounds like a great person, huh? Someone I sure want to vote for.

First of all this might be quite lengthy. But this whole story and comments are the most pathetic thing that I have read. I can't believe that I wasted my time reading it all.
Anyhow, I believe that a human and an animal are not equal (even though they are both living). How many of you would have a difficult time deciding between your kid or your pet if they where both in danger. I would hope you would all say your kid without a second thought. This would mean that you pet is expendable or not as equal in importance as your kid. So to compare the dog to a human is a ridiculous argument. I still believe in the humane treatment of animals but I really don't see the difference between a roof top carrier, a back of a truck, or a luggage compartment on an airplane. They all are treating a pet as luggage. Whether they like it or not we’ll never know so if where going to give romney a hard time for this than we better get on the wagon and yell at everyone who travels with their pets in the truck or luggage compartment on a plane. On top of that we should probably get mad at those who leave their pets at home for hours or days on end all by themselves. Pets have survived in the wild far longer than you or I. They are strong living creatures. A little ride in a protected carrier or in the back of a truck or as luggage on a plane or staying home by themselves for a day or two is not going to harm them. All this crap about a pet being more than a pet is ridiculous. All those who put sweaters on them so they don’t freeze or feed them human food or teach them to not lick their butts or use toilets or on and on are just all out right idiotic. Again they survived without these things for centuries and they will continue to live without them for centuries without them. In fact those kind of things probably stress them out more than anything, they are not sure if they are an animal/pet or a human. Just think before all this crap they knew they were a dog or a cat or whatever. Now they are not sure!!!

> “If you wouldn’t strap your child to the roof of your car, you have no business doing that to the family dog,”

This is the great fallacy of PETA and its followers: Equating animals with people. There IS an order to dignity. I hope to teach my child math, the piano, and logic. During this time, if I have a dog, it will chew its bone outside in the yard where it belongs. See the difference.

It may have happened over 20 years ago, but his attitude is the same. He's an ass. I don't support PETA, but they are dead on.

By the way, it's illegal in most states to have that dog in the open back of your truck and it's EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. So, you are all morons, too, apparently.

It's the attitude he still has about it today that matters. For some of us who can't have kids, our dogs are like children to us. But besides that, they are LIVE BEINGS that should be treated with respect.

And, yes, I totally thought about National Lampoon's Vacation lol

Anyone remember stories from your parents (or better yet you) about how when they were little, they bounced around without seatbelts in a car going 80 mph? So if we find out that Hilary Clinton did this to Chelsea on car trips, are we going to tear her a new one??? No way… lay off and until Romney did something illegal or has a horrible stance on something, come talk to me

What an idiot. I hope someone straps him to the top of his car so he can "enjoy" that kind of ride too.

PETA is a joke! "If you wouldn't strap your child to the roof…." is an absolutely ridiculous statement. It is a dog, not a human being. I am not in favor of animal cruelty, however a child is far more precious than a dog.

That dog was lucky. What a fun ride.

And give me a break people, people sit on motorcycles everyday and go 100mph. Go get them first before you after a guy whose dog WANTED to ride on top of a vehicle like that.

Oh yeah, 25 years ago too.

“If you wouldn’t strap your child to the roof of your car, you have no business doing that to the family dog,” Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA said in a statement. “I don’t know who would find that acceptable.”

Well, I dont lock my kids in a cage, does this mean that I cant put my dog in his kennel??

How can you write this off because it happened in 1983. Yes, I did some stupid things in the past. But I accept responsibility for those actions. I don't act like what I did was right.

That's what strikes me about this story. Romney wasn't a child. He was a mature adult. And what he did seems outrageous to me. Stapping a dog kennel to the roof of a car?? And it didn't say he went 12 hours without stopping. It said the dog pooped and peed all over the car, and Romney had to clean up the car when he stopped for gas!!

This was way wrong. And it's a sign of Romney's lack of principle that he would try to make political hay by criticizing PETA rather than admitted he did something stupid.

This is so ridiculous!
I say as long as the dog isn't attached to a leash through the car window, and being dragged, i.e., like the little man figure "Napoleon Dynamite" threw out the bus window, PETA should seek more meaningful issues to talk about!

Seriously, this man lies, abuses animals and who-knows whatelse, and claims to be religious! IF he wins the nomination, I will be convinced this country has gone to hell.

If this is all we can find on this guy as to why he should not be President than I think my vote will go to him. All of the other Rep. Canidates are defending multiple divorces and adultry charges and all we can find on this guy is that he let his dog ride on top of the car. This was almost 25 years ago, most cars didn't even have shoulder straps on thier seat belts, so I am sure there we not any fancy doggie harnesses to keep a silly dog in the back seat next to the other kids. I think any one that spends money on a doggie seat belt needs to have thier head examined. Its a dog people not a child. I do not think it is ok to beat an animal but some people should be beat for over treating an animal. If it were not for human interaction, these animails would be out in the woods eating raw meat and being eaten by the next level of the food chain. I love my dog but she is not part of the family. She is a pet.

If one can impose a pet to such a danger, one would not care for human life as well. I think that Mitt Rodney's ambisions to become the next President should be over. He can examplify himself to his own children.
Pretty pathetic if you think…

Romney is just not a very bright man. Anyone with a moderate amount of intelligence knows that it's the same for children as with pets–you can't let them do everything they want, because some things are just plain unsafe.
You don't let kids ride in the back of a pick up truck, and you don't let a dog ride on top of a car, etc.-just b/c they want to do it. Someone needs to use a brain! Maybe Romney will let his dog decide how he feels about the war, global warming, and healthcare. Sheesh!

Romney is obviously unthinking, cruel, arrogant human. He thinks his dog likes fresh air? At 70mph? Romney stance on putting his dog on the roof is amazing uncompassiate for other living entities. Not a good trait for a president.

Why would anyone want him for president anyway, his relative George Romney used to be Governor of Michigan and was worthless.

If elected I think he will strap us all to a car roof!

How stupid can they get…wait don't answer that…

My God people! This isn't about PETA. His son was the one to open up and tell everyone the story.

I'm not for PETA and I think that they're ridiculous, but the fact that he was callous enough to make such a stupid move makes me realize that he's a moron.

And being that I'm from Mass., I have more experience with his moronic behavior and attitude.

The guy's a loser.

The man is a menace.

Doesn't matter if it was 25 years ago or 25 days ago. What it says to me is that you have someone who would not be for animal rights. Animals are living breathing creatures. Did we forget that? Tell me he will strap one of these sex offenders on his roof and drive that far..and then and only then will he get my vote!!

This event happened repeatedly, NOT just once in 1983. Ahem, Romney said that this was the routine for many of their family vacations.

He simply has poor judgment. God help us, if this guy becomes the Republican presidential candidate.

Perhaps the dog would have been better off in the car left to suffocate in a cage with the windows rolled up when they stopped to eat or fuel up. He obviously liked to get in the cage and probably enjoyed the fresh air, just as Romney said. I love dogs, and don't see a problem with what he did. The reason PETA is bringing it up now is because in 1983, it wouldn't have been considered a problem. I was 12 years old and that's when we drank from the same soda pop bottle as 5 of our friends and didn't care, we actually played played sports and got exercise instead of playing video games all day, and I got spanked for doing something wrong. I didn't do it again because I knew what the outcome would be. There were also no "time outs" or "negotiating" with parents.

Regardless, he has my vote now that I know PETA is against him.

You may not like PETA, but they've got a point-if Mitt Romney cannot be trusted to take care of his dog properly, then how can he be trusted to be responsible with nukes and terrorist threats? Just another excuse NOT to vote for him, as if you needed one.

Even George Bush wouldn't do something as ignorant as strap his dog to the top of a moving car.

It's hilarious that liberals care more about the welfare of animals than aborted human lives..

Makes me question why CNN would give PETA air time? They are just another fringe group that seeks attention by attacking good people.

Leave it to a mainstream media outlet like CNN to make this about one group who complained (a group they can use to make anti-Romney, anti-cruelty people look bad) and not about Romney's cruel actions. I'm sure the perspective would have been different had it been a Dem candidate who did this, not that any of them would be that cruel.

And leave it to the stereotypical hateful idiot commentators to like Romney better than before or vote for him simply because PETA (or even other more mainstream animal lovers)are against him. The politics of division and spite got us in the bad situation we are in today. Let's not continue that.

If you have to go back 24 years to 1984 to dig dirt from a guy and you can only find out that he traveled with his dog on with windshild kennel on the top of his car during a vacation, and that's the best you can find, then your pretty pathetic, and he's pretty untainted. A report like this makes his Anti-Romney's look so dumb.

I see dogs in the back of pick-up trucks all the time. What is the diffrence if its in the bed of a pick-up or in a kennel attached to the roof of the car? Also PETA you can come over to my house and I can tell you a story for every deer head on my wall. I bet I get a letter on this.

I beg to differ with the comment on top. Animal rights and cruelty to animals is newsworthy. And would be an agenda in office.

How cruel. I would never vote for anyone with such poor judgement. He's lost my support.

As a parent, Governor Romney should have enough common sense to know that what children, and this case, pets enjoy doing, may not necessary be a safe act. It is up to us, as responsible parents, to make sound judgement at times to protect their safety and the safety of others. Just like we would not let our children drive recklessly or under the influence of alcohol even if they "enjoy" the thrill of it, Governor Romney should never have let his dog travel in a manner that may endanger himself or the safety of other drivers. The only family "pet" for an individual who has shown such a lack of judgement is a mechanical one. For someone who has such high regards for family value, I am truly disappointed with his naive and ignorant comment.

1983??? If PETA wants to be taken seriously then they need to make their "issues" more timely!

IT'S ILLEGAL.

And, anyone who has a dog knows Mitt is lying anyway.

Wow, That is all the dirt the Boston Globe can dig up?? A dog story from 1983?? and it makes the CNN headlines on the web. Romney has my vote. Maybe the Boston Globe should concentrate on the dirt of the other candidates. Some good stuff there.

If Mitt's kids liked playing on the highway, would he let them do that too?

(OK, he probably would….)

This guy is a genious! Just another example of his innovation and creativity. Why haven't all Americans been doing this? I believe it is completely acceptable. That's where the family dog belongs. Does PETA let the family dog eat at the dinner table? That's where the kids eat?

It’s hilarious that liberals care more about the welfare of animals than aborted human lives..

Posted By Joe, Millville, NJ : June 29, 2007 2:54 pm

—-

Hey, you're the ones who killed 600,000 in the Middle East (so far).

Oh come on, how may times have you seen a dog riding in the back of a pickup truck with know protection at all. I have know of accidents happening where the dog was leaning over the back bumper and was thrown out and badly hurt. Find some other pour candidate to hurass.

I do not like Mitt Romney or PETA. But I must be missing something. If the dog likes it, who cares? No, I would not put my kid up there, but I wouldn't let my kid sleep in a doghouse or eat Pedigree Crunchy or chew on a pig's ear, because my kid is not a dog!
Too bad, now a lot of folks will vote for him just because PETA hates him, and he really is an idiot. Maybe the story was leaked by his campaign manager.

"My dog likes fresh air."
"He scrambled up there every time."

Know what? Dogs also like to roll in poop, and will stick their heads waaaaay out the windows of fast-moving cars. They don't understand the dangers of technology. That's what their master's are supposed to protect them from when they TAKE CARE of their pets.

Frickin' idiot.

I need to correct one thing I said -

at least the dog wasn't rolling around in the back of a truck….

Lets strap Romney to the roof of a car and see how he likes it!

That is more humane that letting one ride in the bed of a pickup truck untethered; allowing the dog to fall or be thrown out onto the highway and hit by an oncoming vehicle, or by the person following behind, which happens daily.
I am neither for or against Mr.Romney's politically, but do think it unfair to persecute him for this action.

Yeah here's one. I married a therapist who says that anyone that can do this to a dog can do it to a human. Meaning - He doesn't mind seeing people or animals suffer because he has no respect for life, animal or human. He only cares about himself and that dumb hairdo. It's 2007 buddy take care of that gray-top.

So what about the millions of people that drive around with their dog running around in the back of their pickup truck and no protection whatsoever? Get real. Granted, traveling with your dog strapped to the roof in a carrier is probably not the best idea, but at the least this guy had his dog in protected crate of sorts.

The way a person treats their pets, can be a pretty good indicator of how they look @ all life in general. The life of a dog, which was created by God should be respected and treated with dignity.
Maybe Mitt will figure this out someday.

Amazing. Romney endangers his animal's life in a, I have to admit, bizarre fashion, and all people can do is complain about PETA. Fine. They are a radical organization, and much of what they do and say is questionable.

Ignore that and focus on the fact that a grown man strapped his pet to the roof of a car. First, who comes up with an idea like that? And second, do you want that someone leading the country? I don't. I doubt there could ever be a statistical correlation between the strapping of live animals to one's car and being the leader of the free world, but I would not trust the judgement or the mental workings of someone who had. I certainly would not want him able to send the military into foreign countries based on questionable intelligence, or be able to call up and order a nuke dropped on someone. Such a silly article, yet such a great glimpse at Romney. And a scary one.

Hmm Just what the country needs… Another Compassionate Conservative.

What a Joke.

This changes my whole view of the 2008 election, wow! But really, this doesn't even matter and won't effect his Presidential run. I mean it happened a quarter of a century ago!

What is wrong with all of you people?
Are you fans of dog-fighting too?
If it's such a non-issue, why is Romni even responding? Because any normal, thinking, caring person would not even consider traveling with their dog on the roof of the car! If someone does something that stupid, I don't want them in the White House. Of course, i don't want Bush there either.

PETA IS STUPID. END OF STORY.

PETA should be banned from the earth, their arguments are stupid and their reasoning ignorant, all you PETA lovers are just looking for attention and a reason to exist, animals were put on this planet to serve man and as mans friend, we did bare them from our mothers, they are not people and should not be treated as or better than people, so please, PETA members, email me explain to me why you are all some of the most intolerable people on the planet, maybe we should throw paint on you for being stupid and annoying.

Now I definitely have never been a fan of PETA. And I am the biggest dog lover ever. I like to say "Mitt, what are you thinking!" But I won't. Only because I don't think you did anything wrong. This was pulled from 20 years ago. I assume the dog we speak of has passed away. And I also assume that you were careful that the crate was fully secured to the vehicle. What is PETA's problem. This is BY FAR the most biggest waste of time yet.If PETA needs something to do they can come to my house and save the Woodpecker that works on my eaves looking for bees that no longer live inside there. I will gladly oblige them at 430am!!!

I bet if the US passed a law similar to South Korea that most of these posts would dissapear! We need to do something like that to get incoherent babble from people off the web, even if it is stuff that i post! Anyone else remember Bill Clinton sleeping around with everyone and yet we still elected him… what's worse?

Woof, my name is Sammy (alias). In recent years, I have worked for the FBI's Animal Division, sniffing for bombs and explosives. I don't mind the work, but if I had a choice between sniffing for bombs or riding on a car top, I'm taking the car top. It's much safer. My dog friends are getting a big kick out of this particular story concerning your fellow human, Romney. After we trained you to walk behind us and pick up our poop, we knew we could get you to do pretty much anything we wanted, but now it is bordering on the asburd. Especially those PETA people. They DO NOT speak for me. We think it would be best if you drop this and move on. Well, headed into the woods to chew on some little creature I my happen on and I hope this is over when I get back.

Well he's got the TYPICAL MENTALITY of a STUPID POLITICIAN is all I can say! MORON!!!!

I am not taking either side on this matter. It is ridiculous that PETA is attacking Romney based on such an old and trivial matter. But at the same time, Romney defending his actions by saying the dog climbed up there on its own is just silly; my son likes to climb into the bed of my pickup, but I don't let him ride back there! How about some articles regarding the candidates stance on contemporary issues that actually have bearing on our society!

Anyone that straps their do to the roof of their care is someone that would NEVER get my vote. It really shows how much he thinks of the family pet.

1983???? Give me a break!!!! That was 24 year ago!!!! This is EXACTLY why I HATE political campaigns. Why does there have to be so much mud slinging, name calling, etc. Why can't each of the candidates focus on their campaign issues and STOP trying to point fingers at their opponents. Just focus on your campaign promises and do your best to keep those campaign promises if you're elected!

Besides, how are we to judge what is cruel to the dog. Maybe from a safety standpoint, it was not wise, but then again, WE CANNOT INTERVIEW THE DOG. Maybe the dog absolutely loved it, or maybe the dog hated it.. we'll never know all the facts so we pass judgement on a man anyway… that's pathetic

The only thing this article makes me ponder is: what is CNN paying it's beat reporters? If the dem's are going to beat this guy, you better come up with something meaningful. This is so petty, it does more to damage CNN than Romney.

Please have someone from PETA interview the dog and let's hear what he or she has to say that way we will know for sure!! Also is Ingrid (ignorant) Kirkland comparing a human child too a dog?? If so then we know where the problem is Houston!

I don't care in the least for Mit Romney, and I don't condone his carrying a dog on top of a car, but seriously folks you people need to give your head a shake. It took place in 1983–almost 25 years ago!
To borrow a line from my 12 year old son, "Get a life!"

So Brian "would gladly strap someone from PETA on the roof of my car for a 5 hour trip." No wonder the country has gotten so divisive. People say stupid crap like this all of the time and it demonstrates a complete lack of respect for other people. Undoubtedly he's be incapable of taking decent care of a dog.

And by the way, having your dogs ride in the back of a pick-up truck is fine until you get into an accident, at which time your pets will not only be road kill, but their flying carcasses can kill the people in the car behind you. Still think it's a fun idea for the dogs?

Why are people making such a big deal about it at this time, it's not going to change a thing. Yeah it was 20 some years ago when life was different. So he had his dog ride on the top, he isn't the first to do this and I've seen plenty in my days traveling. It is seen under today's standards as irresponsible and cruel but that wasn't the case back then. He cared enough to even make the dog a windshield, that is if there was one, much unlike what some people today do. Even so a dog is an animal, yes a loved one in the family but nevertheless an animal that is quite often put down for just being old. It's not like there are reports of him doing this kind of thing since the 1980s so maybe he wised up who knows but PETA is being pathetically desperate to think that bringing this up now will change what happened. History may repeat itself but time goes in a straight line so get over it people you can't change it. This has no relevance period.

I'd just like to throw out a couple points that popped into my head while reading all of these posts (which was a waste of my time, but I was bored). Please keep in mind this has nothing to do with WHO did it, I would say this if it was Hilary or Mitt, no diff.

1) Dogs are important, I love mine and would treat it NEARLY as good as I would a child.

2) A windshield was built for it, thus it was essentially like riding in a jeep with the soft top down (meaning open on all sides except the front). Should we stop people from doing that?

3) Riding in that rack is SAFER than in the bed of a pickup truck…he can't jump out of the crate (and YES, it is a CRATE!).

4) When you see people who have lost their luggage on the side of the road it's because their morons, I think he probably put a little more time into tying the crate down than he did the family socks.

5) If it's so callous why did he take the time to build a custom crate w/ a windshield?

6) How much room would the dog have had to sit, move around, stand up, etc in the middle of a crowded station wagon? It would have been relegated to the floor at best!

Let it go, people…if you're so upset, then write him a letter stating your opinions CALMLY AND COHERENTLY. Calling him an idiot is pointless…do you think he's reading these posts to see what you think about him?

Now, I'm going to go shoot some deer out of season from my pickup truck cab on my way to the rodeo that was a joke, people

Sounds like Romney is a hard-headed, self-indulgent, stubborn jerk, not unlike the present president. Who needs another one in the White House. Not my idea of a good person. Don't care who he is or how much money he has. That's all he cares about, it seems….again, not unlike the ones we have already in the White House

This society is petty. When you call someone an animal it is a derogatory term. Yet animals seem to have more importance sometimes than humans. The crimes against animals sometimes carry stiffer penlaties than crimes against humans. So why is everybody getting all aroused over an incident that happened over 20 years ago???

If the dog always climed up there, then perhaps Mr. Romney just provided a safer way for the dog to do it.

It's just an animal people, it's not like he strapped grandma on top of his car, oh wait, that's the Beverly Hillbillies…but that was "funny" right?

The boston globe didn't treat the dog story as "dirt" — it was a small part of a weeklong series about mitt's rise. The story came across as though no one seemed to think that there was anything with strapping a dog to a roof and letting it crap all over your car while you drive for 12 hours. so it's not like PETA "dug" this story up — the boston globe had it as part of a section that talked about his "emotion-free crisis management" while being a "family man."

Yeah, PETA may be over-the-top in some instances, but what kind of idiot makes his dog take an east-coast trek on the roof of a car? Sounds almost as much fun as the dog from National Lampoon's Family Vacation had.

How does he know he likes it up there. Poor dog has to travel in open air baggage because he has too many k