As an animal lover, one of the cable channels I most enjoy is Animal Planet. The programs range from "Dogs 101" or "Too Cute, to "Meerkat Manor" or "Orangutan Island." The show "Dirty Jobs," originally a discovery channel show needs to be removed from Animal Planet's program, as its content consistently depicts variations of animal cruelty & offensive jokes that have no place on a channel dedicated to animal lovers. David M. Zaslav, CEO of Discovery Communications, has the power to remove this show as Discovery Communications owns Animal Planet.

I became an Animal Planet viewer when I first got my dog. I wanted to leave on my television for him when I wasn't home, and it just made sense to put on animal planet. Before I knew it, the station was always on... I've learned about my dog's breed, watched the puppy bowl and learned about animal cruelty and the kind people of Houston and other cities and towns that protect our endangered animals. I know every show that airs on the network, and after viewing several episodes of "Dirty Jobs," I have learned to change the channel when the show comes on. This show portrays various means of animal cruelty, pigs' tails being cut off, pigs being injected with antibiotics, jokes about little pigs going to the market, etc. In a recent episode focused on animal rendering, lead Mike Rowe participates in inflating a dead cow. His opening line? "Moo," as he kneels amongst 3 dead cows. Now, I know this is actually reality but it is disappointing that this is considered proper programming for animal lovers. Some of us are vegans, and some of us are vegetarians, but all of us share a love for our defenseless co-habitants of the earth. Animal Planet shows a disclaimer at the beginning of each show, stating that the show depicts graphic content and is for mature audiences only, but it is not suitable for anyone watching Animal Planet & needs to be removed.

Should I win this petition, Animal Planet will uphold its reputation as advocates for animal rights. Should I lose this petition, our children who watch a seemingly wholesome network, will be taught that pigs going off to the slaughterhouse is a laughing matter.