People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) often finds itself in the news and this week is no exception.
The University of Georgia’s mascot is a bulldog. The school recently lost mascot Uga the Seventh to a congenital heart condition. Uga the Seventh was only four years old – relatively young for a dog. Last year, Uga the Sixth died of a similar condition and it concerns PETA.
After Uga the Sixth died, PETA asked the university to choose a replacement from a shelter. After the most recent death, they have upped their demands. PETA asked Damon M. Evans, the athletic director for Georgia, to use an animatronic dog for Uga the Eighth.
The organization pointed out that bulldogs are fragile creatures, susceptible to breathing problems, hip dysplasia, heart problems, and other ailments. PETA also went on to point out that the dogs are inbred and in their opinion, just breeding them was cruel. If the university wouldn’t consider a robot dog, PETA suggested a costumed mascot.
“It is time for the university to put an end to the cycle of suffering endured by dogs who are brought into the world solely to represent the school’s ‘brand,’ said PETA assistant director Kristie Phelps, “By choosing a humane alternative to the use of live animals as school mascots, UGA can show that compassion always wins.”
What do the official at the University of Georgia think about PETA and its advice, or demands, depending on how you view it? A spokesman for the university said that PETA made “good points that deserve our consideration.” The school has set up a fund to which mourners can donate. All proceeds go toward a new animal hospital for the veterinary medicine department at the university.
While Georgia may be considering PETA’s suggestion, NBC shot down a commercial talking about turkey cruelty that PETA was hoping to air on Thanksgiving during the Macy’s parade. The commercial showed a little girl at her family’s feast, giving thanks for “the turkey farms where they pack them into dark, tiny little sheds for their whole lives.” The commercial then suggests that viewers chose to go vegan.
NBC asked PETA for more information to validate their claims, but weren’t convinced by the article provided by PETA, so they decided to not air the commercial.
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