Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is openly tussling with animal rights group PETA, which is calling for Punxsutawney Phil — the famous marmot used in an annual Groundhog Day tradition to forecast the start of spring — to be replaced with a vegan cake.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is stepping in to defend Punxsutawney Phil after PETA called to replace the beloved animal—and Groundhog Day icon—with a vegan cake. Last week, the group wrote to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club and asked that Phil be retired from his high-stakes gig—if he sees his shadow upon leaving his burrow,

PETA has suggested that Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog who predicts whether winter will go on for six more weeks or spring will arrive early, should be replaced with a vegan 'weather reveal' cake on Groundhog Day.