With Groundhog day just a few days away (Feb. 2), PETA has stepped in on behalf of Punxsutawney Phil, claiming that the furry guy isn't being treated so well by the throngs of noisy spectators that gather to see him every year.
The Animals in Entertainment specialist for PETA, Gemma Vaughan, wrote a letter to the festivity's organizers last week in Phil's defense, requesting that they start using an animatronic groundhog in his place.
This article appears in Jan 27 – Feb 2, 2010.