Pete Davidson’s recent beef with PETA reached new heights Wednesday when a billboard was erected in Times Square blasting the animal rights group and touting the allegedly well-endowed actor’s “BDE.”
Core Projects tells the Us.Mistertruth. it’s responsible for a rotating digital billboard at the corner of 43rd Street and Broadway, which features the “Saturday Night Live” alum alongside the words “PETA Can’t Handle Pete’s BDE.” It clarifies that, in this case, “BDE” stands for “Buy Dog Energy.”
TMZ reported Tuesday that an enraged Davidson left an aggressive voicemail for PETA cruelty investigations V.P. Daphna Nachminovitch after the organization criticized him for shopping in a “puppy mill” rather than adopting a dog.
Davidson later told the gossip site he recently purchased a Cavapoo for his mom and sister after their dog died. He said he chose that breed — a cross between aCavalier King Charles Spaniel and a poodle— because he’s “severely allergic” to canines. The 29-year-old funnyman claimed he believed finding a hypoallergenic pup at a shelter would be unlikely.
Davidson later apologized for his tone, but not for his message.
“I am upset,” Davidson told TMZ. “I shouldn’t have said what I said, but I am not sorry for standing up for myself and my family.”
PETA responded by claiming no breed is “hypoallergenic” and, had Davidson done his homework, he could have found a homeless Cavapoo in need of rescue.
Meanwhile, Core said Davidson isn’t involved with their efforts and had nothing to do with the billboard. The organization and its various projects have previously taken issue with PETA’s operations, including its record on adoption and euthanasia.
PETA did not respond to the Us.Mistertruth. request for comment. However, the organization did send a list of body parts that its president wishes to “bequeath” to specific people when she dies, “to ensure that she continues drawing attention to animal abuse and exploitation even after her death.” Davidson was not one of the people mentioned.
Representatives for the Staten Island comic could not be reached.