Animal-lover Andy Murray expresses opposition to unethical hunting

16 November 2016 10:23

Andy Murray voiced his opposition to trophy hunting following criticism of his main sponsor Under Armour.

The world number one signed a four-year deal with the American sportswear brand in 2014 to become one of their most high-profile endorsers.

Under Armour, which was founded in 1996 in Baltimore by entrepreneur Kevin Plank, also sells a range of hunting gear and has commercial links with hunters.

Those links hit the headlines in August when Under Armour cut ties to husband and wife Sarah and Josh Bowmar after footage of them killing a bear with a spear went viral.

A petition on change.org calling for a boycott of the company's goods has attracted almost 80,000 signatures.

Murray said: "There's certain hunting that's okay, but some that's obviously not, isn't ethical. I wouldn't support that. I do love animals. (I) don't want animals getting killed unnecessarily for fun. I don't agree with that."

The 29-year-old, who has two pet dogs, has been a staunch advocate of animal rights and in 2014 became a global ambassador for the wildlife charity WWF.

Source: PA