Animal rights group PETA is calling for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to be investigated after allowing celebrities to play with animals for entertainment.
WATCH: Bob Irwin plays with wild animals on Jimmy Fallon
The notoriously extreme group has specifically cited Robert ‘Bob’ Irwin as one of the many ‘cruel’ examples after the 15-year-old handled a miniature horse, an alligator, and a mandrill during his many appearances on the popular late night show.
PETA’s letter specifically takes aim at The Tonight Show’s broadcaster NBC for hiring Grant Kemmerer of Wild World of Animals, who has been responsible for the multitude of animals joining the stage with celebrities such as Kate Beckinsale and Game Of Thrones actor Jacob Anderson.
PETA’s letter – which has been addressed to the New York City Health Department – claims no one but Kemmerer has permission to handle the wildlife, and to allow celebrity guests to handle the animals is a violation of their codes.
Kemmerer has since insisted that his deal with NBC creates an exception, telling Page Six: “It was deemed even people in the audience are not looked at as the public—in the eyes of the USDA—because they’re paying for an entertainment show and expect this type of show. … You’re not going to pull out a random animal and hope it goes OK.
“We are alleviating any potential risk, and for Jimmy Fallon, he’s not going into this unknowing,” he added. “He is a participating person in this. They’re having Robert on there to bring the animals.”
The Department of Heath is currently reviewing PETA’s letter.
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