DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings fans might see some boxes full of free octopus stress balls when they arrive at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night for the team's season opener.
Those are courtesy of PETA, the animal rights group which has been outspokenly against Detroit fans' tradition of throwing dead octopuses onto the ice during Red Wings games. PETA said the little octopus "squeezes" will have the message "Respect Animals" printed on them.
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The organization has asked the NHL to create a policy against allowing fans to throw animals onto the ice. Now they're pleading with fans directly.
“Octopuses are intelligent, sensitive animals who use tools, communicate with one another, form romantic social bonds, and deserve our respect,” said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "PETA hopes the Red Wings’ new stadium will usher in a new era of compassion for these remarkable animals."
PETA proposes checking Red Wings fans for concealed octopuses at the door, with consequences including immediate ejection, a lifelong ban on attending games, and a fine of $5,000 for attempting to bring these animals into the arena
The throwing of octopuses at Red Wings games is a decades-old tradition which originally represented the eight playoff wins a team needed to win the Stanley Cup. It's grown into something much bigger in Detroit, where Zamboni driver Al Sobotka has made a name for himself as the guy who twirls the dead animal over his head while the crowd goes wild.
It's unlikely the majority of Red Wings fans will take any advice from PETA in regards to this issue.
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