‘Imagine the cows’ terror’: Animal rights group PETA calls to end the use of leather footballs.

The Canadian Football League (CFL) is under fire this week from an unexpected critic: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a prominent animal rights organization. The group is calling on the league to end its use of leather footballs, citing ethical concerns about how the leather is sourced.

PETA’s campaign follows the release of findings from an undercover investigation at Rodabaugh Bros. Meats, a slaughterhouse in Ohio that supplies leather to Wilson, the manufacturer of official CFL footballs. The report alleges that cows at the facility endure inhumane treatment, including violations of slaughter protocols outlined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. According to PETA, animals were killed using captive bolt guns in ways that fail to meet regulatory standards.

The group also released graphic video footage showing cows witnessing the slaughter and dismemberment of other animals at close range—practices that run contrary to guidelines from the North American Meat Institute and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

“Imagine the cows’ terror as their acute sense of smell detects the blood, and as they see their herd mates being slaughtered in front of them, realizing that’s what’s about to happen to them next,” wrote PETA Vice President Philip Schein, a Toronto native, in a letter addressed to CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston.

According to PETA’s figures, Wilson produces around 700,000 leather footballs each year for both the CFL and NFL. With an estimated 10 footballs made from each cowhide, that translates to approximately 70,000 cattle used annually in football production. However, this statistic has drawn scrutiny, as it implies cattle are being slaughtered solely for footballs—when in reality, hides are typically a byproduct of the meat industry.

PETA is urging the CFL, NFL, and Wilson to work collaboratively on developing non-leather alternatives, such as plant-based or synthetic materials. On their website, they highlight the efforts of CFL star and reigning Most Outstanding Player Brady Oliveira, known for his work in dog rescue, as an example of the league’s potential to lead on animal welfare issues.

Currently, CFL regulations require that all official footballs be made of real leather. However, the balls also incorporate various synthetic components, including pebbled textures for grip, polyurethane bladders, PVC laces, polyester thread, and dyed coloring. Other major sports leagues—such as those governing soccer and rugby—already mandate synthetic balls for reasons ranging from animal ethics to performance benefits.

Founded in 1980 and based in Norfolk, Virginia, PETA is known worldwide for its high-profile and often controversial campaigns advocating for animal rights. While some of their claims have sparked debate, the organization’s latest push has reignited conversations around ethics in professional sports manufacturing.

Original Source