PETA CALLS FOR ‘CRUEL’ TYSON PIGEON SHOW TO BE SCRAPPED
Former boxing champ MIKE TYSON is facing a challenge from animal rights c ampaigners over his upcoming bird racing reality show after they branded the programme "cruel".
The retired sportsman has harboured a passion for pigeon racing for yea rs and recently landed a TV deal to bring his hobby to the small screen i n U.S. series Take on Tyson.
But the concept of the show has infuriated activists from the People fo r the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and they are calling on the sho w to be halted before filming starts in Brooklyn, New York next month (Ap r10).
PETA general counsel Jeffrey Kerr says, "It is inherently cruel. The bi rds often end up lost in storms, being injured, or just becoming so exhau sted that they’re unable to fly." Tyson’s show is already under investigation by the New York District At torney’s office over allegations it involves illegal gambling and Kerr is hoping state authorities ban the series from going to air.
He adds, "Pigeon racing as an industry involves gambling. That’s why pe ople do it, to make money." However, bosses at the Animal Planet network, who bought the rights to Tyson’s show, insist the complaints are unfounded.
Representative Patricia Kollappallil tells the New York Daily News, "Th ere have never been any plans for wagering on the pigeon race. (The birds will be) cherished and respected by their owners, including Mr. Tyson."
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