PETA is begging the Cleveland Browns to end their tradition of live mascots after the death of their support dog… saying TMZ Sports believes that the practice is harmful to animals.
Tracy Reiman — PETA’s executive vice president — made the plea Tuesday afternoon… just hours after the NFL organization unveiled its bullmastiff mascot, Swagger Jr.I had died at the age of five.
Reiman said in a statement that “generations of breeding for a certain appearance have left bullmastiffs prone to hip dysplasia, cancer and fatal 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 breeds these doomed breeds with respiratory problems.”
Reiman then implored the Browns to take a different path with their mascots in the future… asking that they simply “adopt a logo featuring a brown mixed-breed dog from a local, no doubt overworked, animal shelter.”
Swagger Jr. has worked Browns games for most of his life… after the pup’s father, Arrogancepreviously held the position from 2014 to 2019.
The Browns said in a statement Tuesday morning that they were saddened by the dog’s death, though they did not release the cause of death.
We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved mascot, SJ. We are so grateful for his many years of loyal support and cherish all the wonderful memories he helped create for fans young and old. photo.twitter.com/bQ6c6HiuA7
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 2, 2024
@Browns
As for how they’ll proceed with their stance going forward… no one knows at this point — whether PETA will like it or not.