Ahead of Groundhog Day, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have drafted a group letter to The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s president, Tom Dunkel, suggesting a change to their standard tradition.
Since 1887, locals and those who travel to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania for the occasion have gathered in suspense to see if the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil will emerge from his temporary home on Gobbler's Knob to see his shadow — signaling six more weeks of winter — or, if not, an early spring is on its way. But PETA wants to retire Phil, proposing that a flip of a giant gold coin be used to make the time honored prediction instead.
