Following a “near-tragedy” at Tuesday’s Sugar Bowl between Texas’ steer’s and Georgia’s bulldog, PETA is calling on all NCAA teams to cease using live animals as mascots.
During the incident, the Longhorns’ steer Bevo briefly charged at UGA’s mascot Uga and had to be restrained and pulled away by his handlers. Uga was not hurt and neither were any humans.
After video of the incident went viral, PETA sent a letter to both Texas and Georgia calling on the schools to “learn from this dangerous incident” and retire their live animal mascots.
“This frightening near-tragedy is yet another example of the reason most colleges and professional sports teams retired their live-animal mascots decades ago — and the handful who haven’t yet should quickly follow suit,” PETA said in a statement. “Uga or any of the humans standing nearby could easily have been trampled and killed.”
University of Texas spokesman John Bianco told The Associated Press that Bevo had two halters, two chains, and six handlers to hold him at the game. “All established safety and security measures were in place for Bevo,” Bianco said.
Texas won the Sugar Bowl 28-21 over Georgia.
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