BRASSTOWN, N.C., Nov. 28 (UPI) -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sued North Carolina to prevent a "possum drop" celebration from taking place New Year's even in Brasstown, N.C.
PETA said the event, in which a possum is enclosed in a plexiglass box, raised into the air and lowered to the ground as part of an annual tradition, is traumatic for the animal.
The event has been hosted for the past 20 years by convenience store owner Clay Logan, who was granted a permit to possess a possum by the state's Wildlife Resources Commission, the Courthouse News Service reported Wednesday.
PETA said the state's Wildlife Resources Commission "lacks the authority to issue a permit or license for the possession and exhibition of a live [possum] at the Possum Drop" event.
This is the second year in a row PETA has sued North Carolina over the event. Due to last year's litigation, Logan said he used a stuffed possum for the drop instead of a live one.
Logan said in previous years when he used a live possum, the animal was always released unharmed into the wild after the event.
