PETA is accusing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of animal abuse over their plans to use a parrot to announce picks at the upcoming NFL Draft, a report says.
The group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), slammed the team for the “stunt” saying, “…these unique, intelligent birds are at risk for stress and injuries when they’re used in stunts like this one, and mishaps can even cause death,” USA Today reported.
The PETA statement came on the heels of the team’s announcement that it would use an 8-year-old Catalina Macaw named Zsa Zsa to help reveal the Buc’s fourth-round pick on Saturday. The team plans to have Zsa Zsa appear aboard the pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium.
PETA official Delcianna Winders scolded the team as falling behind the times.
“Times have changed, and we now know that parrots have minds of their own and activities that they enjoy (and don’t enjoy),” Winders said in a statement. “They aren’t props or wind-up toys to be carted about, and they don’t belong in noisy, crowded stadiums filled with excited sports fans.
“They should be left in peace,” Winders insisted, “not be used for entertainment.”
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.
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