Ron Artest: From Dog Abuser to PETA Spokesman

By looking at this PETA campaign, Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest is probably hoping you've forgot about his own abuse of animals.

In 2007, an emaciated female Great Dane was removed from Ron's home by animal control. Police and neighbors said he wasn't feeding the dog and upon seizure by the authorities, it was immediately taken to a vet and force fed through IVs. If that wasn't bad enough, dogs were removed from Ron's home several times under similar circumstances.

In 2006 a neighbor filed a complaint with animal control alleging Artest left four of his dogs tied up in his yard with no food for at least six weeks. Later that year, another neighbor filed a similar complaint. And according to reports, animal control was called to his him at least fives times in one year - several of the dogs were impounded and Ron was fined.

So, while this PETA PSA is fantastic, it's all probably wrought over trying to garner positive press and to paint himself into another light.

Who knows, maybe it was part of his plea not to be charged with animal abuse.