Meet the New York Mets' newest controversy. And no, it's not the bullpen. It's the "Mets Dogs."
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For 17 years, pit bulls dressed in jerseys, sunglasses and cowboy hats have been parked outside Citi Field posing for fan photos, pipes in their mouths like canine mascots from a bygone era. But now, the act is under fire again — with activists calling it "absolutely cruel," per the New York Post.
Brooklyn therapist Mike Amory has made it his mission to shut the show down, showing up at every home game since August with protest signs. He even dresses like the dog — fake snout, paws, pipe and all — while begging fans to donate to animal causes instead of tossing money into owner Charlie Fernandez's bucket.
"It's crazy," Amory told the Post. "Rain, 100 degrees, doesn't matter. That dog is out there in clothes. You can see it's subdued. It's not normal."
Social media chatter only fueled the protests, with claims Lia — the star of the show — was being forced into submission with a hidden shock collar. Fernandez denied it, telling the Post he isn't abusing the animals, just training them. He even stripped Lia on the spot to prove it. No shock collar, only melted ice packs in her bandana. The ASPCA has looked into the allegations and found no evidence of abuse.
Still, Mets and MLB fans remain divided. Some call the stunt tradition. Others call it cruelty. "It's just not safe dog ownership," one attorney told the Post. "It's ridiculous the Mets haven't stepped in."
For their part, the Mets say they have nothing to do with Fernandez or his dogs. Which means the photo op isn't going away anytime soon. Fernandez left Wednesday's game saying he'd be back — if not with Lia, then with another pup ready to puff the pipe after the final out.
