Learning that the internet is forever, American Idol contestant Will Moseley is getting slammed with constant backlash over a resurfaced graphic hunting video.
Moseley, who is one of the Top 8 finalists in the current season of American Idol, began getting online hate after critics discovered a graphic hog-hunting video on his father’s Instagram account.
The video, originally posted in 2022, shows Will Moseley and his father allowing four dogs to gang up and attack a hog during the hunt. The video also showed the American Idol contestant posing with his dad and his girlfriend as well as one of the dogs, and the noticeably deceased hog.
Although the video is very graphic and hard to watch, the hunting tactic is legal in Georgia. A rep for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division released a statement to TMZ.
“Hunting feral hogs – an invasive species – is allowed on private lands and, where and when designated, some public lands in Georgia. Where designated, dogs can be used in hunting feral hogs. There are no restrictions on that use except on public lands.”
Many American Idol fans loudly shared their disapproval of how Will Moseley hunted the animal on social media.
PETA Unleashes on ‘American Idol’ Contestant Will Moseley After Hunting Video Goes Viral
PETA shared the organization’s reaction on its social media accounts. In addition to reposting the footage, they called for Moseley’s exit from American Idol.
“Anyone who encourages dogs to rip apart other animals should be in jail for cruelty to animals, not on a stage,” they wrote.
“Unless Will Moseley has changed and gained some much-needed compassion since his boar-killing days, PETA urges the public to vote according to their values, and end his American Idol dream, the same way he ended the lives of vulnerable animals.”
The caption reads, “This sickening video of American Idol contestant Will Moseley setting dogs on a video is going video. He’s the exact opposite of an American Idol!”
PETA followers took to the post to share their thoughts. “He needs to be banned from the show and be held accountable,” one follower wrote. “This is unacceptable such unnecessary animal cruelty.”
Another follower declared, “Can’t believe people are actually defending this. These are the same type of people who would defend fox hunting in the UK. Disgusting and terrifying that these people live amongst us.”
However, other Instagram users pointed out that the hunting tactic has a purpose. “It’s a damn pig,” a user wrote. “Those things are pests and destroy crops. I’m pretty sure this is an old video as well. If PETA actually cared about the environment and a balance, then they understand that culling the pig population is important.”