Times Sq. billboard attacking PETA retools Davidson’s ‘BDE’
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 Daily News it’s responsible for a rotating digital billboard at the corner of W. 43rd St. 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 voice mail for PETA Cruelty Investigations Vice President 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 bought a Cavapoo for his mom and sister after their dog died. He said he chose that breed — a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a poodle — because he’s “severely allergic” to most 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 its efforts and had nothing to do with the billboard. The organization and its various activities have previously taken issue with PETA’s operations, including its record on adoption and euthanasia.
In response, PETA told The News “the attack ad is from a front group funded by industries, including puppy mills, that have a financial interest in propagating misinformation about PETA’s rescue team.” PETA urged passersby to “ignore” the ad’s message.
“This billboard and anyone who supports it is on the wrong side of the issue,” PETA added.
Representatives for the Staten Island comic could not be reached.