Bob Barker and the Cherokee Indians

What do Bob Barker and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have in common? Barker, along with PETA, are protesting the treatment of bears by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Barker and PETA claim that the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are treating bears on their reservation inhumanely and are requesting the actions be stopped immediately. Reportedly, bears are being held in three zoos on the reservation in cages and concrete pits.

Barker and PETA have spoken with the chief of the tribe, Michell Hicks, and have threatened that if the inhumane treatment of the bears doesn’t stop then tourists will stop visiting the popular Cherokee area in North Carolina. The reservation has a Harrah’s casino and beautiful mountain vistas that attract visitors from all over the country.

“Things are going to change on the Cherokee reservation, I promise,” Barker said. “This is going to be a blight on tourism,” he predicted. “Americans love animals, and all they have to know is that animals are being abused.”

Hicks, the tribe’s chief, let Barker say what he had to say during a press conference held in Asheville but then addressed the media himself. When Hicks addressed the media he pretty much told Barker to mind his own business and worry about what was going on in California. He also told Barker that the Cherokee will take care of what they know how to do in their jurisdiction. Hicks also claimed that he will try to help the zoos expand so that the bears have more freedom.

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