Crossover musician Kid Rock has drawn the ire of animal rights activists after a photo of him with a dead cougar was posted online, according to a Billboard report.
The picture was taken when Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, went on a hunting trip with fellow rock musician and outspoken Republican Ted Nugent last week. Nugent shared the photo on Facebook earlier this month, with a long caption preempting criticism as he took a dig at animal rights advocates.
"What a grand conservation New Year it is! HAIL my MotorCity boy KidROck for saving all those muledeer elk and livestock by whacking this magnificent mountain lion," Nugent wrote.
"I can hear the braindead squawkers already with their obscene denial that killing lions is wrong. It's legal, it's necessary, it's good, it's beneficial, it's a damn riot! And these lovely pigwhackers did same on the TX swine while young Rachael Byrd arrowed this fine Oryx with the Bruce Cull tribe!"
"Praise the mighty life giving renewable protein/sport/trophy/FUN! 2015 be good good year so far!" continued Nugent, who, a gun enthusiast, has been a board member of the National Rifle Association for many years.
Indeed, many were quick to denounce the killing of the cougar, with one user saying, "Lost all respect for Kid Rock. No excuse killing such a beautiful animal for sport! I will never go to any of your concerts or listen to anything you sing ever again. Shame on you, deer is one thing but a beautiful leaped? You don't rock in my Detroit work ever again."
"I am 100% for killing to ear but I am 100% against trophy killing. Kill it and grill it, or leave it alone," said another Facebook user, according to All Hip Hop.
At least one commentator mirrored Nugent's defense, saying, "He killed the cat because they kill off the deer and other animals. Here in MN, we have the same problem with wolves. They kill off the animals that we depend on for food. In my neck of the woods, no deer means no winter meat. He did a good thing guys."
Kid Rock, 44, has not spoken about the criticism.