PETA sends stern message to the Browns, demanding they stop using live mascots

The Cleveland Browns have lost their beloved mascot, announcing on Tuesday that Swagger Jr. has passed away at the age of six.

Swagger Jr. took over in 2019 after the original Swagger retired. He, too, died in February 2020 at just six years old. SJ, a purebred AKC bullmastiff, was owned by Fred and Deby McLaughlin and would run out of the tunnel before games when players were introduced.

During games, he could be seen hanging out on the sidelines and socializing with fans. He also attended many team events and brought joy to those who had the opportunity to snap a photo. Despite the love and care he received, activists at PETA aren’t exactly thrilled with the Browns’ decision to use a live mascot. They released a statement calling on the team to use a logo instead of a live animal, saying the way Swagger Jr. was bred led to his short life.

“Generations of breeding for a particular appearance have left Bullmastiffs susceptible to hip dysplasia, cancer and life-threatening heart problems, among other painful diseases. Swagger Jr.’s death at the young age of five should be seen as a damning indictment of an industry that intentionally produces these doomed, respiratory-impaired breeds.”

The average life expectancy of a Bullmastiff is about eight to ten years.

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There was no comment from the Browns, instead they continued to express their love and appreciation for Swagger Jr. No plans have been released regarding their next mascot.

PETA has also never shied away from taking action against colleges and other sports organizations for their use of live mascots—the Georgia Bulldogs have frequently drawn their ire over the years. The only other teams that use a live mascot are the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks.

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