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Eintracht-Adler Attila at a home game in 2022
Photo:
IMAGO/Jürgen Kessler / IMAGO/Kessler sports photography
The animal protection organization PETA has asked Eintracht Frankfurt not to show Attila the eagle in the football stadium in the future.
"It's time for this animal cruelty tradition to be abolished," Peta demanded in a statement.
»Bringing the eagle regularly to the stadium and showing it tied up is not species-appropriate handling.«
The bird is the heraldic animal and mascot of the Bundesliga club and has been brought to the Frankfurt Arena by a falconer since 2006.
Peta also appealed to Eintracht fans not to attend any games as long as Attila is being shown in the stadium.
"The game against FC Schalke 04 on Saturday will be played in the presence of Attila," said Axel Hellmann, spokesman for Eintracht, about the demands.
"We're in contact with Peta."
There are always legitimate concerns, but one must also keep an eye on the balance.
“Even in animal welfare.
I can't imagine the way Attila is being treated is animal cruelty,” he said.
»We think very carefully about what we do or don't do.
You'll never please everyone."
ara/dpa
