Group Wants to Cancel Punxsutawney Phil For Groundhog Day

Is this the end of Punxsutawney Phil?

PETA has called to retire or cancel Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day when they attempt to predict the upcoming season/weather.

PETA President Ingrid Newkirk reportedly told Jeff Lundy, President of The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, that Phil and his companion need to be put back into a reputable environment.

So if Punxsutawney Phil is to be retired, what should they use to predict the upcoming weather or season? PETA says that the group should use a persimmon tree rather than the rodent.

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PETA argues when Punxsutawney Phil is exposed, which happens once a year on Feb. 3rd, he is overstimulated with all of the excitement surrounding the ceremony.

The animal activists also argue that Phil is not in his natural habitat throughout the year, thus he is being deprived.

Will this go any further, or will their requests fall on deaf ears? It remains to be seen, but what is your opinion on this?

Let us know how you feel about PETA's request in the comment section of the social media page that linked you to this story.

LOOK: Here are the pets banned in each state

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.

Gallery Credit: Elena Kadvany