San Juan Capistrano Mayor Blasts Councilman For Naming His Dog 'Muhammad'

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO (CBS) — What's in a name? A San Juan Capistrano Councilman is finding that out after he named his dog "Muhammad," a move that has been blasted by the town's mayor as well as a pro Muslim group.

Mayor Sam Allevato and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) both  blasted City Councilman Derek Reeve for the gesture.

CAIR's LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said, "The distasteful remark is unbefitting of a public office."

He asked Reeve to apologize to the Muslim community. "Added Ayloush, "Surely the councilman knows that as an elected official, he is sworn to represent the interests of a diversity of constituents, including Muslim Americans. While we all have the right to free speech, elected officials have the additional responsibility to exercise that freedom in a way that protects America's pluralism and inclusivity."

Allevato also had harsh words for Reeve. "I personally don't care what he names his dog, that's his business, but when you're a city councilman you're there to represent all of your constituents. I believe you need to treat everyone with respect."

Reeve told the Orange County Register he named his dog Muhammad as a political statement.