A viral video of Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy garnered the attention of the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
PETA sent Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke a letter on Thursday, asking the team to put down the poles following a video of Buoy fishing in Alaska as part of an annual community partnership with the Bristol Bay Native Corporation.
“Just like Buoy, fish feel pain and fear and value their lives,” PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk wrote, KIRO 7 reported. “Sports should only involve willing participants, and PETA is encouraging the Kraken to get crackin’ on kinder habits and send fishing to the penalty box.”
PETA stated that, according to a study, fish can feel prolonged pain after being released into the water and suffer severe injuries.
PETA says Buoy’s actions contradict post
The animal rights group cited Buoy’s post on social media that asked followers to respect wildlife in their natural habitat, stating the team’s fishing trip contradicted that statement.
As an alternative, PETA recommended fishing for litter instead of animals.
In the video, Buoy has a close call with a bear during the fly-fishing excursion. Video released by the team to KIRO 7 shows Buoy and the group quickly retreating as the bear made its surprise appearance.
No one was hurt, and the bear left on its own.
Contributing: KIRO 7; Frank Lenzi, KIRO Newsradio
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