Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has set its sights on iconic video game character Mario for wearing fur in Nintendo’s latest 3DS game Super Mario 3D Land.
Since the game launched Sunday, the organization has launched a scathing online campaign entitled “Mario Kills Tanooki.” In Nintendo's new game, Mario sometimes dons the skin of a tanooki, which is a Japanese raccoon dog.
“Tanooki may be just a suit in the game, but in real life tanuki are raccoon dogs who are skinned alive for their fur,” PETA’s site states. “By wearing a Tanooki, Mario is sending the message that it is OK to wear fur.”
To make their point, the site also features a disturbing video of real tanuki being abused by workers in the Japanese fur trade accompanied by a image of a bloodied Mario holding the head of a dead raccoon dog.
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They do things in an extreme way to get headlines. I think you are correct to call some of what they do ridiculous (PETA -porn??).
They do have a serious point regarding the 'processing' of these animals principally for their skin. I just don't think villanizing a popular video game icon is going to garner much sympathy even if it does grab attention.
CashCowMoo
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My goodness, PETA once again up to its usual antics. PETA is peppered with eco-terrorists.
T e x
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PETA asked Turkey, Texas (home of Bob Wills) to change its name for one day on Thanksgiving to "Tofurkey," promising a veggie feast to the entire town of about 500 if it did so.
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