A leading animal rights group has urged Crystal Palace to retire their American bald eagle mascot because, it says, the matchday experience can leave the bird “frightened, disoriented and panicked” and put spectators at risk.
In a letter to Palace’s chief executive, Sharon Lacey, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) called on the club to end Phoenix’s appearances at Selhurst Park and commit never to use a live animal mascot again.
