PETA, the group that stands up against unethical treatment of animals, has decided that Mario, the friendly red plumber, is unethical. According to PETA the use of the Toonkie suite in Super Mario 3D Land promotes the skinning of animals. PETA has gone so far as to launch a campaign against Mario, with a mini website called “Mario Kills Tanooki.” The site features a mini game were you can help, a skinless Tanooki, chase Mario down to get his skin back. Check out the statement from PETA below.

“When on a mission to rescue the princess, Mario has been known to use any means necessary to defeat his enemy – even wearing the skin of a raccoon dog to give him special powers,” the site asserts. “Tanooki may be just a “suit” in Mario games, but in real life, tanuki are raccoon dogs who are skinned alive for their fur. By wearing Tanooki, Mario is sending the message that it’s OK to wear fur.”

If anyone at PETA ever really played a Mario game. They would realize that Mario gets his Tanooki power from a magical leaf….just saying. If what PETA is saying is true..just imagine what other animals Mario has killed; Frog, Rabbit, a shoe monster, and Superman for his cape.