Friday pudublogging: Terrifying Giant Mascot Goes Berserk Edition

If you missed this post, two weeks ago, let me get you caught up.  This is Mello, official mascot of the 2007 Cricket World Cup:

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The woman with him is his handler, who is highly-trained in the dangerous art of handling big cats armed with large wooden bats.

Yes, yes, Mello looks laid-back, yes.  And on his good days, Mello is a treat for young and old alike.  As I’ve said, nobody does a hokey-pokey with the kids like Mello.  Nobody, man. That’s why he’s getting this one last chance.

After, y’know, that ugly business in Jamaica.  And the manslaughter charges and the plea bargains and the community service and the apology on Letterman.  The guy’s just too good.

But just in case, his handler is packing a utility-belt taser and communicating with rooftop snipers armed with tranquilizer guns.  Just to be sure.

Unfortunately, on my last day in St. Kitts, I caught this terrifying scene.  Just before shit went bad.

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Just seconds after this photo was taken, Mello was swarmed by ten security guards, saving his handler’s life.  Two of them are still hospitalized with giant-shoe bruises and synthetic fur burns.

It has been a difficult World Cup, no question.

I just hope Mello doesn’t have to be put down.

Friday pudublogging: Terrifying Giant Mascot Goes Berserk Edition

If you missed this post, two weeks ago, let me get you caught up.  This is Mello, official mascot of the 2007 Cricket World Cup:

Active Image

The woman with him is his handler, who is highly-trained in the dangerous art of handling big cats armed with large wooden bats.

Yes, yes, Mello looks laid-back, yes.  And on his good days, Mello is a treat for young and old alike.  As I’ve said, nobody does a hokey-pokey with the kids like Mello.  Nobody, man. That’s why he’s getting this one last chance.

After, y’know, that ugly business in Jamaica.  And the manslaughter charges and the plea bargains and the community service and the apology on Letterman.  The guy’s just too good.

But just in case, his handler is packing a utility-belt taser and communicating with rooftop snipers armed with tranquilizer guns.  Just to be sure.

Unfortunately, on my last day in St. Kitts, I caught this terrifying scene.  Just before shit went bad.

Active Image

Just seconds after this photo was taken, Mello was swarmed by ten security guards, saving his handler’s life.  Two of them are still hospitalized with giant-shoe bruises and synthetic fur burns.

It has been a difficult World Cup, no question.

I just hope Mello doesn’t have to be put down.