LSU gained on USC in the national polls, but lost ground with animal rights groups.
Lousiana State University wants to get another live tiger mascot.
Its previous mascot died earlier this year because of kidney favor...not after being beaten in football game 8-)
Mike VI is a 2-year old male Bengal-Siberian mix.
His accommodations will be air-conditioning, a wading pool and a waterfall.
Gee, I wonder if I can apply.
Mike will be cared for by the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) says, “As grandiose as Mike’s expensive habitat may look, it is inadequate for a tiger.”
And they know this because of why?
I think PETA reps should be sent in to ask Mike VI?
What do you think?
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The folks at PETA are out of bounds on this one. LSU's Mike VI does not fit into PETA's mission statement.
They are against animals being trained in any way, whether for safety or entertainment. They against virtually everything humans do for or with animals.
We can never expect PETA to agree that Mike is the most pampered and cared for Tiger around. Likely no animal in the world has it so good, and is loved by so many.
When I started writing this reply, I thought that maybe PETA's mission was a good one. So I found their mission statemaent and home page. I've studied what they support and what they don't agree with.
I feel like PETA has stepped out of it bounds on this issue. LSU does not make it's tiger jump through hoops, transport it from town to town like a circus animal, or whip it into submission for entertainment purposes.
LSU does not breed Mike to sell the babies, tiger hides, tiger teeth, tiger claws, or any other commodity.
Mike VI simply lives in a brand new $5 million state of the art facility designed especially for a tiger. His care is monitored by an entire State University's Veterainary School of Medicine. This includes medical needs, dietary and nutrition schedules, and physical needs.
All that is required of an LSU tiger is to be loved. LSU's new Tiger is a real showman. He loves human attention, and loves showing off. He loves affection of his handlers.
None of these things fit very snuggly into PETA's mission for protecting mistreated animals.
If PETA wanted to make a statement, it should be one that praised LSU for taking such good care of such a beautiful animal.
Of course, that is not going to happen. Don't confuse PITA with the facts. Their minds are made up.
Posted by: Joe Zorn | September 11, 2007 3:37 PM | Permalink to Comment