Not everyone saw the humor or irony in bringing a live goat onto the floor at Gampel Pavilion on Wednesday night..
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or (PETA), one acronym to another, didn’t care for the handling of a GOAT, modern symbol to signify “Greatest of All Time,” when Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey became the winningest coaches in college basketball history Wednesday night.
In a statement to TMZ sports, the organization, which has more than nine million members worldwide, said the animal was “visibly anxious” and the collar was digging into its neck.
“The University of Connecticut can’t conn people into thinking it’s okay to subject a stressed-out animal out to the chaos of bright lights and screaming fans,” PETA said in its statement.
Social media reacts as Geno Auriemma breaks all-time college hoops wins record
Auriemma joked later that his hand was scratched from trying to pet the goat, and during the ceremony he joked that an superstition suggested that it would bring good luck, or a national championship, if the goat “took a dump on the red carpet.” People took photos and selfies with goat which was returned to the local farm from which it was borrowed.
The organization said it will send a letter to UConn asking “to make this cruel courtside spectacle its last.”
UConn, via a spokesman, declined to comment on PETA’s statement.
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