Chris Klein — Animal Group Furious Over DUI

An animal rights group is unleashing on Chris Klein over his DUI arrest this morning – claiming nobody should ever drive around wasted … especially when a pet is on board.

TMZ spoke with a rep for the group “In Defense of Animals” — who tells us, “By choosing to drive under the influence with his dog in the car, Chris not only put innocent drivers in danger, but broke a promise to be a protector and guardian to his pet.”

As we previously reported, Klein was arrested in L.A. this morning — law enforcement sources tell us his blood alcohol level was almost three times the legal limit.