PETA Pissed At UConn ... Furious Over Goat Handling At Auriemma Ceremony

UConn's live goat gift to Geno Auriemma on Wednesday night has infuriated animal rights activists ... with PETA telling TMZ Sports it didn't think the scene was cool at all.

Officials for the organization said in a statement to us on Thursday it was apparent to them the goat was under duress as a handler brought it onto the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion court to celebrate Auriemma's 1,217th career victory.

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PETA claimed the goat "was visibly anxious" -- and to make matters worse, it said the person leading it "either didn't notice or didn't care that his collar was digging into his neck."

Pharrell Williams Stays Cool With Animal-Rights Protesters ... Let's Hug It Out!!!

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Pharrell Williams had a unique approach to a swarm of animal-rights protesters -- he went full hug mode to keep the peace ... and spoiler: it didn’t exactly work.

The singer and Louis Vuitton men’s creative director was heatedly heckled outside GQ’s Men of the Year Party at the Chateau Marmont Thursday night, with one protester yelling, "What type of person still uses fur?” Pharrell, ever cool, shot back with, “I don’t. God bless you."

The drama unfolds in the video -- the same protester held up a sign to show Pharrell the impact of his apparent fur use on animals, but the singer tried to go in for a hug -- only to have his efforts totally rejected.

Disturbing Video Man Appears To Abuse Dog, Brandish Knife

This is sick ... disturbing video out of Florida appears to show a man physically abusing a dog and wielding a sharp object ... and now police are involved.

In the footage, posted to social media by Only in Dade, you see a man and a large dog on the balcony of a Miami high-rise ... and the guy appears to grab the pooch by the neck and head, shoving the poor pup's face toward the floor.

The dog here is clearly scared, and tries to get away from the man ... but he grabs the dog again, this time with what looks to be a knife in hand, and appears to strike the dog in the ribs multiple times.

LILY ALLEN DOG REHOMED, DOING WELL WITH NEW FAM!!

Lily Allen’s former pup has been rehomed and is living her best life with the new family ... TMZ has learned.

Animal Haven NYC tells TMZ ... Lily’s black Lab, Mary -- who she once shared with David Harbour -- has found a tail-wagging happy ending after the singer returned her to the rescue group months after her May 2021 adoption.

Tiffany Lacey, Executive Director of Animal Haven, tells us it's always their policy to take back animals if an adoption doesn't work out -- which is not uncommon with other pets too.

Cleveland Browns Urged To End Live-Mascot Tradition ... After Swagger Jr.'s Death

PETA's imploring the Cleveland Browns to do away with their live-mascot tradition following the death of their sideline dog ... telling TMZ Sports it believes the practice is harmful to animals.

Tracy Reiman -- PETA's executive vice president -- made the urging on Tuesday afternoon ... just hours after the NFL org. revealed its bullmastiff mascot, Swagger Jr., had passed away at five years old.

Reiman said in a statement that "generations of breeding for a certain look have left bullmastiffs prone to hip dysplasia, cancer, and life-threatening heart issues, among other painful conditions." She added that she believed Swagger Jr.'s death "should be seen as a damning indictment of an industry that deliberately churns out these doomed breathing-impaired breeds."

PETA Wants Stormy Daniels in Anti-Horse Racing PSA W/Trump Jab

PETA is looking to tap Stormy Daniels for its next campaign ... and it seems like the project will take a major jab at Donald Trump, TMZ has learned.

In a letter sent to the adult film actress -- obtained by TMZ -- PETA invites SD to collaborate on its next PSA, which rails against horse racing.

The campaign is set to release ahead of the Belmont Stakes and references Stormy's past sex confession involving the 45th prez ... where she alleged Trump lasted no more than 2 minutes in bed.

Hunting Influencer Cameron Hanes Will Moseley's Hunting Right Way ... Need Dogs to Kill Hogs

Will Moseley's getting some support from a fellow hunter ... claiming the "American Idol" star was totally justified to sick dogs on a hog he hunted -- he says it's just the way hunters live.

Cameron Hanes -- an author and hunter whose goal is to become the "Ultimate Predator" -- spoke with TMZ ... and, he's defending Will Moseley's hunting methods.

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CH tells TMZ ... hogs are an invasive species, and hunters need to take them down. Cam adds the best way to hunt them is with dogs, so he's got no issue with Hanes using them in the vid he posted a couple years back.

Jason Bateman Hit w/ Angry PETA Letter Over Pod Stop Plugging Big Dairy!!!

Jason Bateman is facing the ire of PETA after doing an ad read for a dairy company on his podcast -- and they're none too pleased with him ... TMZ has learned.

In a new letter -- obtained by TMZ -- the actor is slammed by the animal rights org for spreading what they call "false and misleading marketing claims" on a March episode of his "Smartless" podcast.

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Specifically, PETA takes issue with Jason claiming Organic Valley -- a company that pumps out dairy products like milk -- sells items that are ethically sourced from small family farms ... as they claim the cows used for dairy production are harmed in the collection process.

Dead Beached Whale Beachgoers Cheer at Grim Sight ... Carcass Ripped, Removed

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Some ovations defy explanation -- like this crowd on the beach in Venice, Florida watching the gruesome removal of a beached sperm whale, yet erupting in cheers ... all captured on video.

Check out the new footage we obtained showing the massive whale's body being mutilated by an excavator -- definitely not for the faint of heart or stomach -- but a group of beachgoers found reason to hoot, holler and celebrate the process.

The removal was coordinated earlier this week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -- also known as NOAA -- along with a local marine lab.

The beached whale was first spotted Sunday evening, and reportedly still alive before dying the next morning, when officials quickly attempted to move the decaying corpse.

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This video gives you a closer look at the initial attempt to move the massive mammal, as several onlookers record the scene.

Not surprisingly, some locals were disturbed by the crowd's reaction, and a rep for PETA tells TMZ ... "With the planet’s oceans being trawled barren, the death of any aquatic animal is a high-stakes tragedy, and PETA urges everyone upset at the sight of this beached whale to throw all sealife a lifeline by going vegan."

However, as graphic as the removal is, PETA has no issue with NOAA's process ... telling us it's "standard operating procedure."

The city of Venice was forced to issue a no-swim advisory at the beach due to the carcass -- which might be one reason for the cheers.

Researchers cut into the whale's corpse on Monday, causing blood to leak into the water. Translation: the bloody scene could've attracted sharks to shore, endangering swimmers.

BTW, this whale tale isn't nearly as gruesome as a similar situation that went down back in 1970 ... when a Pacific gray whale washed ashore in Florence, OR. That carcass was blown to smithereens with dynamite, and the end result was beyond explosive.

That was jarring then, and this is just as jarring now. No matter the motivation behind the cheers ... it's brutal to see.

BALLENA VARADA MUERTA LA GENTE CELEBRA CUANDO LA MUTILAN Para retiran el cadáver

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Algunas ovaciones no tienen explicación, como la de esta multitud en la playa de Venice -Florida- que observa la espantosa extracción de un cachalote varado y, sin embargo, se ponen felices y lo graban en video.

Échale un vistazo a las nuevas imágenes que hemos obtenido en las que se ve cómo una excavadora mutila el enorme cuerpo de la ballena -algo no apto para cardíacos ni estómagos débiles- mientras un grupo de bañistas encontró motivos para gritar y celebrar el proceso.

La retirada fue coordinada a principios de esta semana por la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA) y un laboratorio marino local.

La ballena varada fue avistada por primera vez el domingo por la noche, y al parecer seguía viva antes de morir a la mañana siguiente, cuando las autoridades intentaron rápidamente trasladar el cadáver en descomposición.

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En este video se puede ver de cerca el intento inicial de trasladar al enorme mamífero, mientras varios curiosos graban la escena.

No es sorprendente que algunos lugareños se molestaron por la reacción de la multitud, y un representante de PETA le dice a TMZ: "Con los océanos del planeta siendo arrastrados, la muerte de cualquier animal acuático es una tragedia, y PETA insta a todo el mundo molesto por lo ocurrido a esta ballena varada a hacerse vegano".

Sin embargo, tan gráfica como es la eliminación, PETA no tiene ningún problema con el proceso de la NOAA, diciéndonos que es el "procedimiento estándar".

La ciudad de Venice se vio obligada a emitir un aviso de no nadar en la playa debido al cadáver, lo que podría ser una de las razones de los vítores.

Los investigadores cortaron en el cadáver de la ballena el lunes, causando una gran fuga de sangre en el agua... la sangrienta escena podría haber atraído a los tiburones a la orilla, poniendo en peligro a los nadadores.

No importa la motivación detrás de los vítores... fue un espectáculo estremecedor

Jennifer Coolidge Taylor y Travis tienen un pase por su cita... Aunque entiendo la molestia de PETA

Jennifer Coolidge le está dando el beneficio de la duda a Taylor Swift y Travis Kelce cuando se trata de juzgar su cita en el zoológico de Sydney, a pesar de que cree que PETA tiene razón en desaprobarlo.

La estrella de "The White Lotus" estaba en LAX cuando un fotógrafo le preguntó sobre la polémica cita de Travis y Taylor, que está provocando la ira de PETA.

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Jennifer dice que los tortolitos deberían tener un pase por varias razones: no cree que pensaran mucho en ir al zoológico y solo querían hacer algo romántico juntos.

Como una gran partidaria de PETA, dice que Taylor y Travis parecen ser amantes de los animales y no va a condenarlos por esto. Pareciera estar caminando una línea muy fina aquí, como una gran fan y también como una gran amante de los animales.

Como hemos informado, PETA dijo que la famosa pareja debería buscar en otra parte la próxima vez que deseen estar cerca de los animales y sugirió que visiten un santuario de animales en lugar de un zoológico.

PETA también se opuso a que la pareja alimentara a un canguro en el zoológico de Sydney, diciendo que era perjudicial para ellos hacer eso.

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Jennifer se detiene en criticar demasiado duramente a Taylor y Travis, pero dice que, en última instancia, está de acuerdo con lo que PETA dice sobre el asunto. Es bastante divertido verla luchar con este dilema en cámara, se puede ver que los ama y no quiere criticarlos.

En pocas palabras, Jennifer parece estar tomando un enfoque más diplomático que algunos.

Jennifer Coolidge Taylor, Travis Get Pass For Zoo Date ... But I Get Why PETA's Upset

Jennifer Coolidge is giving Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce the benefit of the doubt when it comes to their Sydney Zoo date ... even though she says PETA is right to disapprove.

The "White Lotus" star was at LAX when a photog asked her about Taylor and Travis' controversial date idea, which is drawing PETA's ire.

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Jennifer says the lovebirds should get a pass for a few reasons ... she doesn't think they put a lot of thought into going to the zoo and were just looking for something romantic to do together.

A big PETA supporter herself, Jennifer says Taylor and Travis seem like fellow animal lovers ... and isn't going to condemn them here. She's kinda walking a fine line here -- huge fan, but also ... big animal lover.

As we reported ... PETA says the famous couple should look elsewhere the next time they're in the mood to be around animals, suggesting they hit up an animal sanctuary instead of a zoo.

PETA also took issue with the couple feeding a kangaroo at the Sydney Zoo ... saying it was harmful to the animal to do that.

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Jennifer's stopping short of calling out Taylor and Travis too hard ... but says she ultimately agrees with whatever PETA says on the matter. It's pretty funny to see her wrestle with this dilemma on camera ... you can tell she loves them, and doesn't wanna slam 'em.

Bottom line ... Jennifer seems to be taking a more diplomatic approach than some.

TAYLOR SWIFT & TRAVIS KELCE PETA Reacts to Sydney Zoo Date ... Go Here Instead!!!

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Sydney Zoo date was cute and all ... but PETA says they should've been mindful of how the animals are treated/handled in this type of environment.

Debbie Metzler --  PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Welfare -- uses Taylor's own song against her to make her point ... telling TMZ, "While we understand all too well the appeal of seeing Australia's wildlife, PETA hopes that next time Taylor and Travis want to see wild animals, they'll spend their time and money at a true sanctuary."

They add that a sanctuary is a better choice 'cause visitors aren't allowed to feed/touch the animals there ... in fact, they're required to keep a respectful distance from them altogether. The zoo there, on the other hand, apparently lets you get hands-on with the wildlife.

Of course, Traylor was doing one of the things PETA advised not to do ... namely, feeding a kangaroo at Sydney Zoo while also checking out a bunch of other animal exhibitions.

The lovebirds were like two kids in a candy store ... enjoying their time at the attraction during their first Sydney reunion date. However, Taylor seems to have known they'd have a blast there -- as she'd already scoped out the place earlier the previous day.

Of course, the pair are just trying to pack in as much time together as possible before Tay Tay gets busy with her final 4 Sydney concerts -- but on this animal adventure specifically, PETA clearly disapproves.

For next time, Taylor and Travis might want to take PETA's advice and head to a local animal sanctuary on their next date ... that is, if they actually care what the org thinks about it.

As you're probably well aware -- PETA tends to sound off on any and all celebs who they feel are acting inappropriately as it pertains to animals/animal rights -- and here ... they're saying Taylor and Travis should've considered a better option for sightseeing.

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Can't please everyone. 🤷🏽‍♂️

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Taylor Swift y Travis Kelce PETA reacciona a su cita en el zoológico ¡¡Vayan a un santuario!!

La cita de Taylor Swift y Travis Kelce en el zoológico de Sydney fue tierna y todo, pero PETA dice que deberían haber sido conscientes de cómo los animales son tratados y manejados en este tipo de entorno.

Debbie Metzler, directora de la Fundación PETA para el Bienestar de los Animales en Cautiverio, utiliza la propia canción de Taylor para hacer su punto en contra, diciendo a TMZ: "Si bien entendemos muy bien (all too well como dice una de sus canciones) el atractivo de ver la vida silvestre de Australia, PETA espera que la próxima vez que Taylor y Travis quieran ver animales salvajes, gasten su tiempo y dinero en un verdadero santuario".

Añaden que un santuario es mejor porque a los visitantes no se les permite alimentar ni tocar a los animales allí. De hecho, se les exige mantener una distancia respetuosa de ellos. En el zoológico, en cambio, se puede tocar a los animales.

Por supuesto, Traylor estaba haciendo una de las cosas que PETA aconseja no hacer, esto es, alimentar a un canguro en el zoológico de Sydney, mientras echaba un vistazo a un montón de otros animales en exhibición.

Los tortolitos parecían niños en una tienda de dulces, mientras disfrutaban de su visita durante su día reunidos en Sydney. Sin embargo, parece que Taylor sabía que lo pasarían de maravilla, pues ya había explorado el lugar el día anterior.

Por supuesto, la pareja solo está tratando de pasar el mayor tiempo posible juntos antes de que Tay Tay esté ocupada con sus últimos 4 conciertos en Sydney, pero esta aventura en particular, PETA claramente desaprueba.

Para la próxima vez, Taylor y Travis tal vez quieran seguir el consejo de PETA e ir a un santuario de animales local en vez de un zoológico. Esto, si realmente les importa lo que la organización piensa al respecto.

Como ustedes probablemente saben, PETA tiende a criticar fuertemente a todas las celebridades que estén actuando de manera inapropiada en lo que respecta a los animales y sus derechos, y aquí están diciendo que Taylor y Travis deberían haber considerado una mejor opción para ir de paseo.

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No se puede complacer a todos. 🤷🏽‍♂️

PETA Stop Riding Animals, People ... Even the Fiberglass Ones!!!

PETA's all about protecting animals ... even the manmade ones apparently -- 'cause they fired off a letter to a Kansas company imploring them to stop putting critters on carousels.

The notorious animal rights activist group directed the letter to Aaron Landrum, the president and CEO of Chance Rides -- one of the largest manufacturers of amusement rides in the U.S.

In the letter, PETA has one plea ... take animals off carousels and replace them with vehicles -- like your basic car or even a freakin' rocket -- or whimsical designs like shooting stars and broomsticks.

The org. argues that putting animals -- even fake ones -- in a position where children can ride them celebrates "the exploitation of sentient beings" though PETA recognizes it's an entirely unintentional consequence.

Their letter points to alleged abuse toward real-life animals they fear will be spurred on by the continued existence of animal-themed carousels ... basically concerned these carousels "reinforce the notion" that animals are here for our pleasure instead of holding any emotions or inner lives of their own.

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PETA flaunts its record a bit in this correspondence as well ... saying Trader Joe's and Nabisco -- among other companies -- have changed branding in recent years to remove pictures of animals in captivity after similar pleas from them.

Bottom line ... PETA's trying to save all the flesh and blood animals -- even if they have to protect the fiberglass and aluminum ones first!

Amanda Gorman Blasted By PETA Over Women's Marathon ... Don't Back Big Dairy!!!

Amanda Gorman's landed in hot water, or should we say warm milk ... because PETA's coming after her for supporting a dairy industry-funded run.

The poet laureate and activist recently joined forces with MilkPEP -- a marketing arm of the dairy industry that created the famous "Got Milk?" ads -- to advertise the inaugural Every Woman’s Marathon, that's touted as "the only U.S. marathon designed for women, by women."

MilkPEP and Gorman released an ad where she recites a poem over different images of women running and training. Check out the vid -- it's a catchy poem and a pretty inspiring message.

But, not everyone's giving it two udders up. PETA's written a letter to Amanda questioning why she would support an event put on by MilkPEP ... essentially, in the org's eye, cosigning the dairy industry's alleged mistreatment of animals.

Lisa Lange, the animal rights group's senior VP of communications and distance runner, wrote the letter and expressed confusion at Gorman's partnership ... adding she'd "no more drink cow's milk at the end of a race than I would smoke a cigarette."

LL says any woman who participates in the event is a sucker, falling for a trick by the dairy industry -- which she accuses of destroying the environment, causing the cows physical and emotional distress and making a large part of the American population sick, due to lactose intolerance.

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In the letter, PETA calls for Gorman to back out of the event, saying the "voice of a generation" must see "exploitation" of a female of any species -- bovine or human -- as wrong.

FWIW ... Gorman's supported animal rights causes in the past, even encouraging others to rescue animals from shelters after her beloved dog of almost 20 years died a few months ago.

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As much as PETA agrees with her on that issue -- they're clearly not on the same page where this marathon's concerned. Not even close.

We've reached out to Gorman, but so far, no word back.