Is It Time to Put Animal Mascots Out to Pasture? Recent Texas Longhorn Lawsuit Points in That Direction

By Carla Varriale-Barker At a sporting event, mascots can be as controversial as they are popular. Some teams have been criticized for promoting racist and anti-indigenous tropes (such as the Atlanta Braves, the Cleveland Indians, the Washington Redskins, and the Kansas City Chiefs). Other teams have landed in the crosshairs of organizations, such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals for their use of live animal mascots. The use of live animals such as bulldogs, or even exotic