PETA has reached out to Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa with an open letter expressing concern over a particular aspect of the beloved Mario Kart World: Cow's nose ring. The animal rights organization argues that these rings, often associated with the meat and dairy industries, serve to "exploit, control, and even lead animals to their demise." They emphasize that these rings are sharply pierced through the delicate septum of cows and bulls, resulting in significant pain and distress. In a humorous twist, they conclude their missive with a quip: "Leave the rings to Sonic and let Cow breathe free!" Here’s the full letter:
Dear Mr. Furukawa:
Hello! I’m reaching out on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). With over 10 million members and supporters worldwide, we’re excited about the latest sensation in Mario Kart World: Cow! She’s captured hearts everywhere—including ours. However, there’s one detail that has us concerned: the brass ring in Cow’s nose. We kindly ask you to show compassion for bovines by removing that nose ring. Here’s why it matters:
Nose rings are employed by the meat and dairy industries to manipulate, control, and even drag animals to their deaths. These brass rings can be harshly thrust through the sensitive septum of cows and bulls, causing lingering discomfort. In the dairy sector, spiked nose rings are sometimes clipped onto young calves, making nursing painful for their mothers, forcing the calves away. To manage bulls, chains may be attached from the nose ring to their horns, inflicting further pain-driven control.
The brass ring in Cow’s nose trivializes the real-world violence and mistreatment of animals. That’s why we urge you to provide this cherished character with a small yet significant transformation: remove the nose ring to allow Cow to race freely—without any painful reminders of industries that view animals merely as sources of profit.
Every animal is someone. So let’s leave the rings to Sonic and grant Cow the freedom she deserves!
Special thanks to SonicGalaxy27 for sharing this news tip!