PETA is blasting the Buffalo Bills after a 4½-month-old bison calf was brought to Highmark Stadium before Thursday’s game and placed in a Zubaz-trimmed pen, calling the team “ashamed” for using the animal as a “pregame prop.”
The calf, named Bruce, came from Maple Ridge Bison Ranch in Hinsdale and was shown outside the stadium before the Bills’ first regular-season game at the new stadium in Orchard Park. Bruce was also wearing a Bills chain.
The animal’s appearance drew criticism from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which called the team’s use of the animal a “cruel gimmick” and a “stunt,” and said the NFL team “should be ashamed of.” PETA’s criticism focused on the animal itself, arguing the sight of a young bison at a crowded stadium was disrespectful to the species.
“The fact that this animal was brought from a bison meat farm, I think that alone shows a profound disrespect for the animal, who is supposed to be this symbol of pride for the team,” Clay Rutherfurd, director of captive wildlife advocacy for the PETA Foundation, told The Buffalo News in a phone interview Friday. “Other family members of this animal are being killed at that farm and that’s no way to honor the symbol of your favorite sports team.”
Rutherfurd also questioned the Bills’ timing, saying animals are being used less frequently by circuses and traveling acts, as well as by college sports teams.
“This really introduces something that the public has said they don’t want to see anymore,” Rutherfurd said. “This is really introducing something that the public has said they don’t want to see anymore.”
He said he did not believe anyone from PETA had spoken with the Bills as of Friday afternoon.
PETA said in a statement Thursday night that the Bills used the animal as a “pregame prop.”
Rutherfurd said he hopes the Bills’ use of the bison was a one-time event.
“Ultimately PETA doesn’t care what the Bills do in terms of what mascot or tradition it adopts, as long as that doesn’t involve exploiting animals,” Rutherfurd said.
He also said using live animals as mascots or for sideline entertainment is “abusive.”
“Using live animals as mascots is abusive,” he said.
The bison’s presence came after the Bills drew attention on social media, where Maple Ridge Bison Ranch representatives declined to comment to The News in response to PETA’s criticism.
Bruce, whose X handle is listed as @bruce_the_bison, was born after Josh Smith, the Hall of Fame defensive end who played for the Bills from 1983 through 1993. The information about Bruce’s name and age was among the “fun facts” displayed next to his pen outside the stadium.
Bruce’s mother gave birth to him, according to the TikTok account.
PETA said it was alerted to the matter after being contacted by a member of the public and also through social media posts, Rutherford said.
“For starters, animals should never be used as mascots, attractions or sideline entertainment,” he said.
He also questioned the Bills’ timing. Animals are being used less frequently by circuses and traveling acts, as well as by college sports teams, he said.
“This really introduces something that the public has said they don’t want to see anymore,” Rutherfurd said.
He said he did not believe anyone from PETA had spoken with the Bills as of Friday afternoon.
PETA said the Bills used the animal as a “pregame prop” in a statement Thursday night.
Rutherfurd said he hopes the Bills’ use of the bison was a one-time event.
“Ultimately PETA doesn’t care what the Bills do in terms of what mascot or tradition it adopts, as long as that doesn’t involve exploiting animals,” Rutherfurd said.
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