MINNEAPOLIS — The Humane Society of the United States says it's under attack by a new group trying to starve it of funding by urging donors to send money to local animal shelters instead.
The society has long been a thorn in the side of some in agriculture with its undercover investigations and campaigns against animal cruelty.
President and CEO Wayne Pacelle says the new campaign is the brainchild of conservative public relations executive Rick Berman and agribusiness concerns are behind it.
Berman won't say who's funding the Humane Society for Shelter Pets. The new group launched two weeks ago with full-page ads in four major newspapers and a website. The ads show a sad-eyed dog and ask people to help by donating to local shelters instead of the Humane Society.