Puffy's petrified penguins

Music

09:30 24 February 2005

Puff Daddy has been slammed by animal rights campaigners for having live penguins at a recent party.

According to party goers at Miami's Hotel Victor last Friday (18.02.05), six "petrified-looking" penguins were placed on a floating artificial glass platform in the pool at the opening of the hotel and were huddled together in fright.

One reveller told America's New York Post: "The penguins were obviously bothered by the crowd and the loud music. They were all huddled into one corner trying to get out. Many guests stared in shock, and others started yelling, 'Save the penguins!' It was a sad sight and a terrible idea."

PETA spokesman Michael McGraw has branded the stunt "unbearable" and has urged any partygoers to come forward with information so they can launch an investigation.

McGraw said: "Penguins live in very cold climates, so the heat was probably unbearable for them. We are now looking into whether having the penguins there broke any cruelty-to-animals laws."

Puffy's publicist Rob Shuter has insisted the bash was not even hosted by the rapper, real name Sean Combs, and claims the hotel were responsible for the penguin stunt.

He said: "He had nothing to do with planning the party and nothing to do with the hotel."

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