The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals took issue with Mississippi State’s live mascot, Bully XXI, and his place on the sideline during football games.
Kenneth Montville, a spokesperson for PETA, spoke with The Dispatch Tuesday regarding a letter the organization’s Senior Director Marta Holmberg sent to Mississippi State President Mark E. Keenum Monday morning.
“When we have a situation like this where an animal was placed in a dangerous situation and wasn’t hurt but could’ve been, we feel it’s our obligation to step in and speak up about what’s best for this animal,” he said.
The letter came after MSU’s live bulldog mascot Jak was rammed into by Auburn running back JaTarvious Whitlow during Saturday’s game. Following the event, Montville said a notable number of complaints were filed with PETA through their varying systems.
MSU declined comment on the matter.
Holmberg pointed to last year’s incident between Texas mascot Bevo, a longhorn steer, and Uga, Georgia’s live bulldog mascot, in which Bevo nearly trampled the pooch along the sidelines at the 2019 Sugar Bowl as a reference to the dangers of live animal mascots.
“Public opinion has turned against using animals for ‘entertainment,’ and most universities and professional sports teams have switched to using costumed human mascots instead of real animals,” she wrote. “Unlike animals, human mascots can lead cheers, interact with the crowd, and pump up the team–all willingly.”
Holmberg also referenced the potential health defects that can affect dogs like Jak.
“Bulldogs like Jak are also predisposed to many congenital ailments as a result of inbreeding and being bred for distorted physical features, including severe breathing difficulties, hip dysplasia, and heart disorders,” she wrote. “Poor ventilation and hot or humid weather can be deadly for bulldogs, and traveling is especially taxing on them.”
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.