PETA Goes After Kent State's Live Mascot
PETA has scolded Kent State University for its new live mascot, Flash, a golden eagle contracted from an animal rescue and rehabilitation nonprofit for use at sporting events, the Daily Kent Stater reports. "Forcing a wild bird into a gymnasium is terrorizing to the animal," said a representative of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. "It is totally unnatural for the bird."
Supporters of the new mascot say that Flash actually serves as an ambassador for the group's conservation goals. "The eagle is disabled; its life in the wild is over," said the director of the nonprofit responsible for Flash. "It can have a new mission."
Surprisingly, not up for debate is the price of the eagle's services: The group, Back to the Wild, received $5,000 upfront and will get $1,000 each time the eagle visits the school. Kent State also pays $750 for each photo session and a $1,000 annual fee.
Tags: mascots | Kent State University | PETA
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Reader Comments
PETA is RIGHT!
I support PETA on this 100%! There is no need to use a live mascot such as an eagle which deserves to live free, not in a cage waiting to be displayed before every game infront of thousands of chaotic fans who may really scare the eagle.
Eagles which are used to living in a quit and natural envirnment deserve better than this.
Free the eagle!
I personally think PETA is wrong on this one. Only in the fact that if Flash cannot survive in the wild, why condemn him to death. If KSU and this non-profit are using Flash to promote conservation, great for them. I personally wish that we had Flash there when I was at school just for the spirit that a live mascot brings in.
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