From Jim’s Desk–1/29/2010: PETA Wants a “Robo-GroundHog”
We have breaking news from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania [it’s taken me several minutes trying to spell that town correctly]. As reported by the SouthTown Star….
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wants organizers of Pennsylvania’s Groundhog Day Festival to replace Punxsutawey Phil–known to many as America’s Official Groundhog-in-Charge-of Predicting-the date-for the arrival of Spring each February 2nd–with a ROBOTIC STAND-IN.
PETA said it’s unfair to keep the groundhog in captivity and subject him to the huge crowds and bright lights that accompany the tens of thousands of revelers each February in Punxsutawey, an hour’s drive northeast of Pittsburgh.
PETA is suggesting the use of an animatronic replacement.
However William Deeley, president of the Inner Circle of the Punxsutawey Groundhog Club (you think these guys really take this stuff seriously…) stated that the animal is “being treated better than the average child in Pennsylvania.”
The groundhog is kept in a climate-controlled environment and is inspected regularly by the Department of Agriculture. (There’s a patronage position if I ever heard one.)
Deeley said PETA isn’t interested in Phil from Feb. 2nd on and is just looking for publicity.
Punxsutawey Phil had no comment for this story and this reporter was referred to the groundhog’s agent for any further questions on this matter (I just made that last part up…LOL…)