PETA is going to be P.O.’d.
Two days after Pittsburgh authorities filed three charges against Jacob Waddell for hurling a catfish head onto the ice during Game One of the Stanley Cup Final, the animal rights organization voiced its support:
“Whether catfish or cat, it's never acceptable to toss any sensitive, intelligent animal's body onto the ice during a hockey game. PETA appreciates PPG Paints Arena's swift action to eject the fan and have him charged with several crimes, which will remind all sports fans that this offensive behavior will not be tolerated. We trust that all NHL arenas will follow suit.”
Trust is a tricky thing, PETA.
The folks in the local district attorney's office decided the Tennessee man's stunt wasn't worthy of their time. The charges have been dropped after the DA announced the actions, “do not rise to the level of criminal charges,” via Facebook on Wednesday.
Waddell gained support from several Nashville residents, including the city’s mayor, Megan Barry, who requested the charges be “quickly dismissed.”
He also received support from Metro Nashville council member, Freddie O’Connell, who announced via Twitter that he had requested a pardon for Waddell followed by the hashtag “#GoPreds.”
Tossing catfish has become a traditional for the Nashville Predators.
O’Connell described the incident as an act of fandom, and if charges are involved in these situations authorities should, “let fans be fans.”
Waddell, 36, called himself "a dumb redneck with a bad idea" when he spoke with Nashville radio station WGFX-FM. He hid the fish between layers of underwear and even ran it over with his truck several times to make it easier to pack.
Tossing a catfish on the ice at home games in Nashville became a thing back in 2003, according to The Tennessean.
No comments:
Post a Comment