PETA Decries Austin Soccer Team's Animal-Focused Promotion

AUSTIN, TEXAS — A planned farm-themed promotional event by the Austin Bold FCsoccer team encouraging fans to take lives animals — cows, donkeys, geese, goats, horses and sheep — to an upcoming game for discounted admission has drawn the ire of animal rights advocates.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent an urgent letter to the owner of the Austin soccer team, Bobby Epstein, on Monday to urge for cancellation of the promotion. Activists categorized the soccer team's publicity stunt as a "cruel promotion," calling for the team to ban all live animals from future events.

The team's invitation for fans to bring animals is for a game scheduled to be played on Wednesday at the Circuit of the Americas. The promotion is dubbed "Farmer in Del Valle."

“It’s indefensible to subject animals to the confusion and stress of being packed up, hauled to a soccer game, and subjected to rowdy fans and other animals, all to save the cost of a ticket,” PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said in a prepared statement. “PETA is calling on Austin Bold to pull the plug on this cheap stunt and to pledge to keep all animals out of the equation in the future.”

PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment.” The group opposes what they call "speciesism," which they define as a "human-supremacist worldview." For its part, Austin Bold FC officials responded to the controversy by Tuesday, saying they have no plans to cancel the event despite PETA's outcry.

Organizers of the event told the Austin Chronicle animals would be kept about a quarter-mile from the stadium in pens, with their handlers nearby to ensure they're comfortable. That way, the animals won't be subjected to loud noise "louder than a small tractor," officials added.

Esptein told the alternative weekly the promotion actually mirrors PETA's own mission of educating people about animals while advocating for the creatures: “We should stress the importance of healthy interactions between people and animals,” he wrote in a text message to the Chronicle “Likewise, we should recognize that if people never interact with animals, they may never appreciate them.”

What's more, response to the promotion has been sparse. And it's not like every animal will be allowed to participate. Epstein said a single fan had sent in an RSVP of sorts, expressing his desire to bring along a chicken, while another hoped to bring a skunk — an idea organizers sniffed out as unacceptable.

Despite such assurances, animals' unpredictability sometimes can't be forethought — especially in forced inter-species gatherings. This scenario was illustrated at the beginning of the year during the Sugar Bowl, when the Texas Longhorns mascot, a steer named "Bevo" was introduced to the Georgia Bulldogs canine mascot "Uga."

Bevo didn't take too kindly to the forced introduction, reacting in something of a bovine freak-out, sending the diminutive bulldog scurrying after almost getting a horn through its soft underbelly in an encounter that garnered national headlines. "Maybe that was not the best idea, but we don't care!" an ESPN sports announcer exclaimed as the riveting drama unfolded on live television.

Bevo's moves were uncommonly aggressive for an animal that's been neutered. Fortunately, its handlers were there to quickly calm the otherwise docile animal. Here's how ESPN covered the mascot meet and greet:

PETA's Reiman full letter to Epstein follows:

"I’m writing on behalf of PETA and our nearly 300,000 members and supporters in Texas to urge you to cancel Wednesday’s 'Farmer in the Del Valle' promotion immediately and leave live animals out of all events moving forward. While we’re sure that no harm is intended, a soccer stadium is no place for chicks, ducks, geese, goats, cows, pigs, turkeys, sheep, horses, or llamas.

"Of course, you know that professional soccer games are intense events. The energy is palpable, and it’s what makes attending them such an enjoyable experience. But the bright lights, screaming fans, and clanging cowbells would be terrifying for animals who can’t possibly understand what’s going on.

"This promotion is not only cruel but also reckless, since frightened animals are unpredictable. For example, earlier this year, Uga, the University of Georgia’s bulldog mascot, was nearly trampled by the University of Texas–Austin’s longhorn steer. Using farmed animals during such an event also risks sickening fans because of the presence of serious pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella bacteria. It’s also unreasonable to expect 4-H students to attend to animals in an unfamiliar and chaotic setting.

"Even Bold fans are calling this promotion into question on social media. Fans want hat tricks, not senseless gimmicks.

"Austin Bold has an opportunity to show its fans that the team cares about animal welfare and public safety. May we please hear that you’ll leave live animals out of the upcoming event and all future ones? Thank you for your time and consideration."

For more information, visit PETA.org.