PETA is lambasted on social media for 'insensitive' attack on 'Google Doodle' honoring Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin on what would have been his 57th birthday

Their love of animals is warped.  They seem to ally it with hatred for people

PETA is being widely mocked on social media after it vilified Google for honoring wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin on what would have been his 57th birthday.  

The combative animal advocacy group - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - took aim at the search engine after it featured a 'Google Doodle' with illustrations of Irwin working with crocodiles and other animals at the Australia Zoo on its home page on Friday.

'#SteveIrwin was killed while harassing a ray; he dangled his baby while feeding a crocodile & wrestled wild animals who were minding their own business,' PETA wrote on Twitter.

'Today’s #GoogleDoodle sends a dangerous, fawning message. Wild animals are entitled to be left alone in their natural habitats.'

The tweet was met with strong backlash from Twitter users praising Irwin's wildlife preservation efforts and accusing PETA of hypocrisy given the high euthanasia rates in the organization's animal shelters. 

PETA later doubled down on its criticism of Irwin, writing in two tweets: 'Steve Irwin’s actions were not on target with his supposed message of protecting wildlife. A real wildlife expert & someone who respects animals for the individuals they are leaves them to their own business in their natural homes.

Several fans pointed out that when Irwin 'wrestled' crocodiles, he did so to move them out of areas where they were likely to be hunted.

Others shared how the Australian enthusiast's passion for wildlife inspired their own animal activism.

One woman tweeted: 'Steve Irwin and his family reclaim land for animals and run a massive wildlife rescue. His life mission was to save animals and educate people about them. I’m one of many vegetarians who rip out their hair when @peta weighs in. Shame on you,' one woman wrote.

SOURCE