Premier League club urged to retire 'frightened' mascot by PETA

Premier League club urged to retire 'frightened' mascot by PETA

Crystal Palace have been urged by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to immediately stop using Phoenix, their live bald eagle mascot, during pre-match ceremonies at Selhurst Park. The animal welfare organisation wrote directly to the club's chief executive, Sharon Lacey, calling on the south London side to permanently end the practice of deploying live animal mascots on matchdays. PETA argued a "bright stadium filled with boisterous fans is no place for animals," urging the Premier League side to cease all such displays without delay. The group also insisted the club should commit to never reintroducing live animal mascots in future. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Crystal Palace have been nicknamed the Eagles since 1973, but it was not until 2010 that the club first brought a live eagle to Selhurst Park on matchdays. Kayla served as the team's airborne mascot for a full decade before her death in 2020. Phoenix was subsequently chosen as Kayla's successor, taking flight for the first time in a competitive setting when Palace hosted West Ham in August 2024. According to PETA, birds subjected to stadium environments risk becoming "frightened, disoriented and panicked," endangering both themselves and spectators. LATEST SPORTS NEWS Independent Football Regulator confirms it has the power to force Man City owners to sell the club Jack Wilshere shoves Barnsley boss as handshake clash sparks melee after Luton win Andoni Iraola delivers revealing Rio Ngumoha verdict after Liverpool beat Villarreal in thriller The organisation said forcing eagles into such settings strips them of the chance to follow their natural instincts, as these are creatures that "would naturally avoid humans," resulting in "frustration and stress". PETA cited its own "detailed records" of live mascots suffering injuries or death after colliding with walls, windows and match balls, alongside an incident in which a falcon sank its talons into a spectator's scalp. I