Animal activists at People For The Ethical Treatment are speaking out — again — against an upcoming television show featuring heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson and his team of racing pigeons.
After publicly voicing its displeasure with Tyson’s new pigeon-racing Animal Planet reality show earlier this month, on March 18, PETA sent a letter to prosecutors in New York City requesting that authorities launch a formal investigation into Taking On Tyson, which is currently filming in Brooklyn.
Last week, the network announced that Tyson — a lifelong pigeon-lover — had signed up to host a series that will test which of a group of hundreds of pigeons that he’s spent years raising can fly the fastest. PETA claims Iron Mike may be lodging bets on a few of his birds.
The animal rights organization hopes prosecutors will keep their eyes open for illegal activity “in connection with pigeon racing…it is likely that extensive wagering will take place on the outcome of these races, as it customary in the industry.”
Patricia Kollappallil, a spokesperson for Animal Planet, has spoken out against allegations of cruelty and illegal gambling: “There have never been any plans for wagering on the pigeon race. The birds will be cherished and respected by their owners, including Mr. Tyson.”
Taking On Tyson will premiere in 2011.