PETA Demands Robotic Version Of Punxsutawney Phil, Claims Cruelty

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Punxsutawney Phil

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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, is lobbying for a robotic groundhog to be used on Pennsylvania's Groundhog Day. PETA is suggesting replacing Punxsutawney Phil with a robot because it is cruel to keep the hog in captivity and than have it go through the stress of crowds and lights shining at it. Groundhogs are shy features who get stressed out when facing large crowds or handled by humans, according to PETA.

PETA sent a letter to the President of The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Bill Deeley, demanding that an animatronic stand-in model be substituted for Punxsutawney Phil and live groundhogs retired to a sanctuary. PETA did not specify how exactly "fake" Phil would predict how many weeks of winter are left. In response, Pennsylvania officials are saying the hog is "treated better than an average child in Pennsylvania." They are also saying it is a publicity stunt for PETA.

Every February 2, groundhog emerges from its burrow in the midst of a festival in Punxsutawney. If it does not see its shadow, the groundhog leaves its burrow to signify that the winter will end soon. If it does see its shadow, it will retreat into the burrow, meaning winter will continue for six more weeks.