Barnsley Fan Condemned by Animal Rights Groups for Bringing Hamster to Match

"

Barnsley hamster casual at Walsall away yesterday, looking forward to @VillaMouse taking him on next season. #avfc pic.twitter.com/AqupxHXUel

— My Old Man Said (@oldmansaid) March 6, 2016"

"He's got a hamster in his hood."

Barnsley fans certainly seemed to enjoy a new addition to their traveling army at Walsall on Saturday, but not everybody was impressed. 

One supporter decided to bring his pet hamster to the game, but the move was criticised by both the RSPCA and the National Hamster Council.

Sara Howlett of the RSPCA told The Independent:

"

Taking any animal to a noisy, crowded environment such as a football match is likely to be stressful.

This is particularly the case for hamsters which are nocturnal animals that spend most of the day sleeping and become active in the evening and at night. Being taken away from its home environment in the daytime and having its routine disturbed in this way, especially at the time of year when some hamsters hibernate, would be extremely stressful for this poor animal.

"

Rosie Ray of the National Hamster Council added, "a noisy football league match is no place for any pet."

People at the game told the newspaper the hamster, apparently called Hector, seemed to enjoy the experience. 

However, maybe he is a particularly tough little guy, and hopefully a new trend of bringing small pets to games does not take off. 

[The Independent]