Ahead of FC Mashuk-KMV Pyatigorsk v. FC Angusht, the trained bear, gave the ball to the referee as both team’s players stood only a few feet away.
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The bear wore a muzzle over his face and was made to sit on his hind legs and make clapping motions.
“In addition to being inhumane and utterly out of touch, using a bear as a captive servant to deliver a football is downright dangerous,” said Elisa Allen, director of Peta. “The bear is the symbol of Russia, so we hope the country’s people will show some compassion and national pride and stop abusing them. Common decency should compel the league to pull this stunt.”
