Dhoni gets PETA’s goat for sacrificing act

Mahendra Singh Dhoni hardly misses a chance to visit temple when he is at his hometown Ranchi. Though he has miles to go before matching teammate Sreesanth, who does not discriminate and frequents every possible religious place around, Dhoni too comes across as a god-fearing soul. But it’s one such act that has put him in some spot of bother.

The Indian ODI and Twenty20 captain recently sacrificed a baby goat at the Silli temple in Ranchi praying for further success and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) believes it was not the temple but the act that was silly.

PETA has shot off a letter to Dhoni and, as all publicity-hankering NGOs does, sent copies of it to the media criticizing him for the action.

The letter read, “As a talented athlete, you are a role model for young people. We hope that you will consider the enormous influence you have over the children and in the future refrain from cruel acts that your young fans might be inspired to imitate."

PETA claimed they have been flooded with calls and e-mails from “horrified” people who lambasted Dhoni for his cruelty to animals.

PETA says the whole incident has sullied Dhoni’s image and quipped "Mr Dhoni will really need divine intervention now to repair his tarnished image.” Well, if that is the case, Dhoni might sacrifice one more, this time to revive image.

Meanwhile, though upset by Dhoni's act, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) still wants the cricketer to be its brand ambassador.