PETA blasts “vile and pathetic” Aaron Lewis over dead coyote photo

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Animal rights organization PETA has issued a statement condemning Staind frontman Aaron Lewis for posting a photo of over 30 dead coyotes.

The post, which went up on Facebook Wednesday, October 18, features Lewis and three other people standing in a field as the bodies of the dead animals arranged to spell out the phrase “Trump 24,” in support of Donald Trump‘s 2024 presidential run. In the caption, Lewis writes, “Successful morning in Texas” alongside a check mark emoji.

In a statement to Billboard, PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange says, “How vile and pathetic that a washed-up musician, desperate for relevance, terrorized and killed animals to get a brief taste of the attention he obviously craves.”

“Just like the dogs who share our homes, coyotes feel pain and fear and love their families, and because they’re one of the few species found in nearly every U.S. state, they’re beloved by many as America’s ‘song dog,’” Lange continues. “PETA encourages Aaron Lewis to seek attention through some act of kindness, rather than slaughtering individuals who are simply trying to eke out an existence in an increasingly paved-over world.”

Lewis has not publicly responded to PETA’s statement.