An unexpected controversy has erupted in the Australian Football League (AFL), as the Western Bulldogs have reportedly received a complaint from animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), calling for the retirement of their live mascots and a rebranding of the club. PETA’s concerns center around the health and wellbeing of Caesar and Sunny, two bulldogs who regularly appear at the club’s home games decked out in team colors. According to PETA, the continued use of these mascots perpetuates harmful breeding practices associated with bulldogs, a breed well-known for its significant health issues.
In a letter addressed to Western Bulldogs’ club president Kylie Watson-Wheeler, PETA campaign advisor Mimi Bekhechi raised serious concerns about the wellbeing of Caesar and Sunny. The letter reportedly pointed out the inherent health challenges faced by the bulldog breed, citing their “extremely short snouts” as a primary issue. Bekhechi highlighted that the distinctive flat-faced (brachycephalic) appearance of bulldogs leads to various breathing difficulties, which can cause lifelong discomfort and suffering.
“Extremely short snouts spell suffering,” Bekhechi stated in the letter. “By showcasing Caesar and Sunny at games and events, the team is – however unwittingly – supporting the intentional breeding of dogs with painful and debilitating deformities.”
PETA’s argument extends beyond the wellbeing of the individual mascots, targeting the wider implications of featuring such dogs prominently at public events. The organization claims that by using Caesar and Sunny as mascots, the Western Bulldogs are inadvertently promoting the breeding of brachycephalic breeds, a practice that has garnered increasing criticism due to the severe health issues associated with these dogs.
In a bold suggestion, PETA proposed that the Western Bulldogs undergo a rebranding effort, which would include retiring Caesar and Sunny from their mascot roles and renaming the club to the “Western Mutts.” The reasoning behind this name change, according to PETA, is to promote the adoption of mixed-breed dogs, which generally have fewer health problems and longer lifespans than their purebred counterparts.
PETA’s letter continued, stating: “By not promoting breathing-impaired dog breeds (BIB), you’d avoid normalising their suffering and instead help champion loveable and unique mixed-breed dogs, who typically live longer and are healthier than their flat-faced cousins.”
To sweeten the deal, PETA even offered to contribute financially to the club’s rebranding process, should the Western Bulldogs decide to adopt their suggestion. The organization believes that by making such a change, the club would not only modernize its image but also make a significant statement against the pedigree dog–breeding industry.
“By relinquishing Caesar and Sunny’s mascot duties to your willing human costumed mascots and renaming the team the ‘Western Mutts’, you’d be taking a stand against the ‘pedigree’ dog-breeding industry while championing the adoption of wonderful mixed breeds and other homeless animals,” the letter further elaborated.
While PETA’s proposal is rooted in concerns for animal welfare, it is not without controversy. The Western Bulldogs have built a strong identity around their iconic name and mascots, and any suggestion of a name change is bound to be met with resistance from fans. The bond between the club and its mascot dogs is significant, with Caesar and Sunny being beloved fixtures of game day, contributing to the atmosphere and fan experience.
For now, the Western Bulldogs have remained quiet on the issue. A club spokesperson reportedly told News Corp that they were unaware of PETA’s letter and declined to provide further comment. It remains to be seen whether the AFL club will address the concerns raised or if the matter will escalate further.
The use of live animal mascots in sports is not unique to the Western Bulldogs. Several Australian and international clubs have adopted animals as part of their game-day experience, including the West Coast Eagles in the AFL, the Canterbury Bulldogs in rugby league, and even the NFL’s Denver Broncos in the United States. However, among Australian elite sporting clubs, the Western Bulldogs, West Coast Eagles, Canterbury Bulldogs, and Brisbane Broncos are the only teams to use real animals as their mascots on matchday.
The future of Caesar and Sunny as the Western Bulldogs’ mascots remains unclear, but PETA’s complaint has undoubtedly sparked debate about the ethics of using live animals in sporting environments. As awareness of animal welfare issues continues to grow, clubs may be forced to reevaluate long-standing traditions to align with evolving societal values. Whether the Western Bulldogs will follow PETA’s suggestion and rebrand as the “Western Mutts” is yet to be seen, but the conversation surrounding the ethics of breeding and animal mascots in sports is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
