PETA begs the Cleveland Browns to end their tradition of live mascots after the death of their cousin dog… telling TMZ Sports she believes the practice is harmful to animals.
Tracy Reiman — PETA’s executive vice president — made the push Tuesday afternoon … just hours after the NFL org. unveiled its bullmastiff mascot, Swagger Jr.had dead at the age of five.
Reiman said in a statement that “generations of breeding for a certain look have left bullmastiffs susceptible to hip dysplasia, cancer and life-threatening heart problems, among other painful conditions.” She added that she believed Swagger Jr.’s death. ‘should be seen as a damning indictment of an industry that deliberately produces these doomed breeds with respiratory problems’.
Reiman then implored the Browns to go a different route with their mascots in the future… and urged them to instead simply “adopt a logo featuring a brown mixed-breed dog from a no doubt overwhelmed local animal shelter .”
Swagger Jr. worked most of his life on the Browns’ playing days… after the pup’s father, Swaggerpreviously held this position from 2014 to 2019.
The Browns said in a statement Tuesday morning that they were saddened by the dog’s death, although they did not reveal a cause of death.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mascot, SJ. We are so grateful for his years of loyal support and cherish all the wonderful memories he has helped create for fans young and old. pic.twitter.com/bQ6c6HiuA7
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 2, 2024
@Browns
As for how they’ll move forward with the position in the future… it’s anyone’s guess at this point – whether PETA likes it or not.