The president of Miami University in Ohio found himself urging students to crush their used cans after a skunk was found on campus with its head stuck in a beer can. The silly critter was eventually freed from its aluminum prison with the help of university police, but PETA was quick to take this opportunity to press a point about the dangers of littering.
"No one likes skunked beer - especially not this skunk, whose head became trapped inside a beer can that was carelessly discarded near a fraternity house at Miami University in Ohio," People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recently reported.
The well-known animal rights group recently sent the police and animal control officer who helped the poor skunk a plate of vegan cookies and a thank you card, but with those gifts they also sent Miami University President David Hodge an offer to plaster the university with free posters urging students to crush their cans.
"Don't Let this Happen Again" the poster reads. PETA has been using the poster, which depicts a raccoon with its face stuck in a soup or coffee can, since 2011, and is very serious about their claim that not crushing cans is inviting disaster for local fauna. The group says that uncrushed and unwashed cans are simply too inviting for some critters, and could potentially suffocate them if not removed in time.
"Aluminum cans, plastic cups, and open jars that are not disposed of properly can become traps for hungry or inquisitive animals. Simply placing these potentially lifesaving signs in dining halls, residence halls, Greek housing, and classrooms would encourage both environmental stewardship and compassion for animals," PETA Senior Director Colleen O'Brien said in a letter to Hodge.
"We share your desire to have no more stuck skunks!" Hodge wrote back to PETA, according to the Associated Press.
Now, the university's Advocates for Animals student group will reportedly be working on the poster safety campaign.