PITTSBURGH — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter Monday to National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman, asking the league to ban live animals from all games following the appearance of live penguins during the Stadium Series game in Pittsburgh.
PETA last week
[ criticized the Pittsburgh Penguins’ use of live penguins before the game ]
PETA representatives sent a letter to the Pittsburgh Penguins, calling on the team to never again use live animals at Heinz Field, and have now extended that call to the commissioner.
against the Philadelphia Flyers. The organization claimed the penguins “scrambled in terror” when fireworks were set off.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium responded, saying they worked with NHL officials to ensure the animals' safety, which is their main priority.
"It's inherently stressful for wild animals to be paraded around in front of a raucous crowd, and the public has overwhelmingly spoken out against abusing animals for entertainment," said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "PETA is urging the NHL to make it clear that live animals do not belong in the arena."
Below is the full text of the letter that PETA sent to Bettman: