Animal rights group PETA has called on Nintendo to remove a cow character’s nose ring from its popular game Mario Kart World, citing concerns over animal welfare and the potential for cruelty.
In a statement, PETA argued that the “cruel” nose ring is a tool used to control and hurt cows in the meat and dairy industries, causing lasting pain and discomfort. The organization claimed that no real-world cow would wear such a ring, as it would cause significant pain due to its location on one of the most sensitive parts of a cow’s body.
PETA also pointed out that spiked nose rings are sometimes used to control bulls, causing them even more pain-driven control. The group emphasized that the nose ring is not a style choice but a cruel tool used to inflict harm on animals.
This criticism comes after PETA has previously taken action against other games, including Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Palworld, which it claimed encouraged abusive behavior toward fish, insects, and wildlife.
Despite its concerns, Nintendo’s Mario Kart World has been highly successful, selling 5.82 million Switch consoles worldwide in its first month of release and 5.63 million copies of the game itself.
Source: https://www.eurogamer.net/animal-rights-group-peta-calls-for-nintendo-to-remove-cows-cruel-nose-ring