This is from one of my dog lists with permission to cross post:

At the shows in Belleville, Illinois, last weekend, PETA terrorists put
antifreeze in water dishes when
dogs were out being shown. The handlers noticed the pink color (they
said it
looked like Kool-Aid) and changed the water, discovering by the odd
smell
what it was. It was announced over the loudspeaker to not put your
dogs into
their crates without checking water dishes first. Lots of people
immediately
took their dogs out and locked them in motor homes.

In the future...do not leave your crates unguarded at shows...you
never know
when or where the PETA freaks will turn up.

. This is what they consider Ethical Treatment of Animals--the sick
freaks.

I first heard this from a friend who was there showing...now the news is
making the rounds. Please pass the word and make
sure all your dog show friends know about it.

Can you give the source? Was a police report filed? How do they know it was PETA? Any other information available?

This was started in an on line email group as coming from a friend of a friend of a friend, typical rumor scenario, and seems to be totally unsubstantiated.

People who were at the show heard/saw/knew nothing of the supposed incident and said there were never any "announcements" of this happening at the show.

Apparently there were representatives from PETA in the parking lot trying to take photos but were asked to leave by security and did so.

As much as we all hate PETA and dislike their tactics unsubstantiated rumors is not the way to fight them. JHMO

Didn't sound like their usual MO.

I have heard this report as well as many other rumors of things PETA has "done".

My question is, does PETA regularly show up at dog shows to protest, cause mayhem? I myself have never seen it, so just curious of other's experiences.

Unless they want to be noticed, I doubt they announce their presence. Frightening to hear these stories and all the more reason for locks on crates when you aren't immediately with your dogs at shows.

I wouldn't doubt they attend Potomac every year due to the size and reputation of it being the largest Labrador speciality in the World. Be careful at the big P, better safe than sorry.

Google this. It is all over the internet!

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/general-yorkshire-terrier-discussion/198851-disturbing-news-out-belleville-il.html

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100309184102AAyZzJT

http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?p=1175947

Locks on crates does not prevent someone from putting their fingers in through the wire crates and feeding something to the dog. Be careful, even if this is all just a rumor.

With the snap on water buckets we all use in the corner of our wire crates its easy enough for some insane person to just put antifreeze in that bucket without opening the crate.

What good is a lock...............

Better solution is to ensure that someone is always at the set up to keep an eye on things ..

This whole incident stated in this thread may or may not have happened, but my sister did have an experience with a PETA person at a show many years ago.
Yes, they proudly identified themselves as a member of PETA and were escorted off the show grounds as they were in the grooming area and would not leave when politely asked to but as this person was leaving they shouted out "A dead dog is better than a crated dog!"
That same show had a few dogs found running free out of their crates but fortunatly none were hurt.
I would not trust PETA alone with one of my dogs for a second.

This past year PETA was at the Cleveland shows at the IX center. They weren't hiding their identity.