PETA is under fire after the animal rights organization criticized Google’s Doodle tribute to Steve Irwin.

Today (Fri, Feb. 22) marks what would have been Irwin’s 57th birthday, and Google honored him by giving him a Google Doodle on the search engine giant’s front page. The Doodle featured an animated slideshow showing the Crocodile Hunter’s life, work, family and dedication to the protection of Australian wildlife.

PETA, however, had thoughts about Google’s Steve Irwin Doodle tribute. And not good ones either. The group said in a statement via Twitter that Google’s animation honoring Irwin sent a “dangerous, fawning message” because they didn’t approve of Irwin’s work with animals.

“Steve Irwin was killed while harassing a [stingray],” PETA wrote. “He dangled his baby while feeding a crocodile and wrestled wild animals who were minding their own business. Today’s Google Doodle sends a dangerous, fawning message. Wild animals are entitled to be left alone in their natural habits.”

The comments from the group, which is known for being very outspoken when it comes to their views against any form of animal cruelty, sparked backlash on social media and made “PETA” a worldwide trending topic on Twitter.

“Saw PETA was trending and I figured that couldn’t be good,” one Twitter user wrote. “But I was not prepared for them to be disrespecting Steve Irwin. The Irwin family are angels and Steve’s death was a tragedy. Also a tragedy: the continued existence of PETA.”

“I can love animals and hate PETA at the same time. I’m a multitasker,” wrote comedian Marie Connor.

“The hatred I have for PETA has SKYROCKETED after the Steve Irwin tweet. F**k yall,” wrote another Twitter user.

Other users pointed out that Steve Irwin has helped more animals than PETA has.

PETA didn’t back down from their comments either.

PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia Friday: “PETA must ask who commissioned these dangerous, hagiographic cartoons of a man who died while harassing a stingray, dangled his baby while feeding a crocodile, and ‘wrestled’ wild animals who were minding their own business.”

She added: “This fawning, ignorant tribute is a slap in the face to the vast majority of people who acknowledge that wild animals are entitled to be left alone in their natural habitats.”

The group also maintained their stance against Irwin on Twitter, writing: “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.”

PETA continued: “It is harassment to drag exotic animals, including babies taken from their mothers, around from TV talk shows to conferences & force them to perform as Steve Irwin did. Animals deserve to live as they want to, not as humans demand—the #GoogleDoodle should represent that.”

Folks still weren’t trying to hear all that noise, and promptly let PETA know.

See more Twitter reactions below:

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